Background
The University of Waterloo Sustainability Office, in consultation with Grounds Services and other stakeholders, is developing a Sustainable Landcare Standard. Included in the standard is a commitment to “identify and develop remediation plans for invasive species” (action 3C). Invasive species can include plants and animals. These pose a threat to native biodiversity, and they are often considered undesirable or nuisance species. Controlling the propagation of invasive plant species in particular can be labour-intensive and is often only feasible with pesticide applications. The University of Waterloo is therefore looking to better understand what invasive species are a problem on its grounds, where invasive species are a problem, how to control invasive species using best practices, and how to help non-invasive species thrive and become more resistant/resilient to invasive species.
This work supports the UW Sustainability Strategy Objective 09: by 2025, all University grounds will be maintained according to sustainable landscaping standards, and plans developed for remediation and preservation of specific natural areas of concern. This work also relates to UN Sustainable Development Goal 15.
Scope of Work Could Include
- Document invasive species on University Campus grounds with species name, location, population size and images where possible
- Research any regulatory requirements for managing or removing the documented invasive species
- For common invasive species, research best practices for:
- Eliminating the species from the site or controlling its propagation, this might include an escalation approach with milder tactics used first and pesticides used as a last resort
- Remediating the site or ecosystem to allow native species to be re-established
- Reducing the likelihood of the invasive species getting re-established
- Develop a monitoring system to evaluate the effectiveness of remediation protocols
- Make any further recommendations for invasive species remediation plans
Resources
- Please contact the Sustainability Office for a copy of the draft Sustainable Landscape Standard
- Aquatic invasive species – Ontario Streams
- Invasive species in Ontario – MECP
- Invasive species gallery – NCC
- Mosher (2012) “An Inventory and Recommendations for the Management of High Priority Invasive Alien Plants in Point Pelee National Park”
- University of Victoria Invasive Species Management Strategy
- US Department of Agriculture “Field Guide: Invasive Plant Inventory, Monitoring and Mapping Protocol”
- Ontario Invasive Plant Council: Creating an Invasive Plant Management Strategy: A Framework for Ontario Municipalities • Best Management Practices for different invasive species in Ontario
- Stanley Park Ecological Society Invasive Plant Management Plan
- University of Victoria Invasive Species Management Strategy
- Research Institute for Nature and Forest “Guidance for drafting best management practices for alien invasive species”
Stakeholders
- Sustainability Office
- Plant Operations
- Ecology Lab
Proposed Deliverables
The details of the deliverables are flexible but must meet the requirements set out by the course instructor. Some proposed deliverables include:
- A work plan early in the term outlining key milestones and responsibilities.
- Updates on progress at least once during the term.
- A final report with invasive species documentation, regulatory information and control/remediation recommendations.
- A final meeting to review the outcomes of the report and answer questions.