What are invasive species?.................................................................................................. 01 Invasive species in Ontario................................................................................................. 02 Ontario’s Invasive Species Act..................................................................................... 03 Impacts of invasive species in Ontario.......................................................... 03 Invasive species and your waterfront property.............................06 Address pathways of introduction........................................................................09 Practice prevention...........................................................................................................................10 Information for managing invasive plants on your property....................................................................................................................................12 Top 7 Actions Shoreline Owners Can Take...............................................13 Table of contents 01 FOCA is very concerned about the potential impacts of invasive species and the negative effects they may have on our quality of life in Ontario. We have already seen the impacts from the many existing and looming invasive species introductions, including forest pests like the Emerald Ash Borer, aquatics like the Zebra Mussel and Asian Carp and invasive plants such as Phragmites and Garlic Mustard. These invaders have proven to alter the environment, damage our economy, and negatively impact our communities. We feel each of us has a role to play to ensure the resources we enjoy today will be here for future generations. Long-term and meaningful conservation in Ontario can only be accomplished through the thousands of individual actions carried out by private landowners. Invasive species can take over lakes, forested areas, grasslands and cottage gardens. Invasive species can permanently alter the landscape by killing trees that provide valuable shade, reducing the abundance and variety of native fish and aquatic life, squeezing out desirable plants, and clogging up waterways. In addition to their direct impact on the landscape, invasive species also hurt the pocketbooks of cottage owners by damaging private property, reducing property values, affecting health and safely, and compromising the enjoyment of recreational activities such as boating, swimming, watersports, and fishing (Invasive Species Centre, 2014). What are invasive species? Invasive species are defined as harmful, non-native plants, animals and micro-organisms whose introduction or spread threatens the environment, the economy, or society, including human health. Non-native refers to any plant, animal or microorganism that has been introduced into areas beyond their range; whether this introduction be deliberate or accidental. It is important to note that not all non-native species are considered invasive. There are a wide range of species in Ontario that waterfront property owners should be aware of; including plants, animals, fungi, fish, invertebrates and diseases. Once established, invasive species are extremely difficult and costly to control and eradicate, and their ecological effects are often irreversible. Ontario’s definition of an invasive species may include species native to Ontario, which have been introduced to a new geographic region due to human activity. Species may be considered invasive if their introduction or spread can be linked to our changing climate (OMNRF, 2012). Forward Garlic mustard: K.Towle