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The Weed Control Officer, John Friesen, manages the Regional District of North Okanagan’s Noxious Weed Program with a staff of 1 full-time and 4 seasonal workers.
The goal of the Noxious Weed program is to prevent the introduction of new species of noxious weeds and invasive plants, and to reduce the spread of existing noxious weed infestations to minimize the impacts on lands within the North Okanagan. To achieve this, the RDNO provides education to raise public awareness of the impacts of invasive plants, assists in the coordination of control efforts of agencies and individuals, and provides management advice to North Okanagan residents.
We offer a broad range of services to all electoral areas and participating municipalities of the North Okanagan:
- Custom spraying of noxious weeds
- Invasive plant and noxious weed inspections
- Noxious weed control enforcement
- Education and awareness
- Biocontrol agent release and monitoring
Adult Cyphocleonus achates, a root feeding weevil that selectively attacks spotted and diffuse knapweed.
Photo: Cariboo RD |
The RDNO operates a prevention, monitoring and control program that is guided by the Pest Management Plan (PMP), which outlines an Integrated Pest Management approach that includes manual, mechanical, biological and chemical control methods on lands within the regional district. Integrated Pest Management involves inventorying noxious weeds/invasive plants, selecting treatment methods, and evaluating effectiveness of treatment.
- Mechanical and manual methods of weed control prevent weeds from producing seed and reduce the vigor of weed plants by cutting plants prior to seed production and depleting root reserves through repeated defoliation. Mechanical and manual control includes mowing, cutting, digging and hand pulling.
- Biological control makes use of the plant's natural enemies, such as insects and pathogens, to reduce plant populations to economically manageable levels. Biocontrol agents are carefully monitored and only available for some weed species. The agents are thoroughly tested before release to ensure they will not harm native and desirable introduced plants. When effective, biological control provides self-perpetuating, self-dispersing, continual control of weeds, which makes it cost-effective, sustainable, and environmentally compatible.
- Chemical control (pesticide application) is only one component of the RDNO noxious weed/invasive plant control program but its use is critical to control the spread of noxious weeds/invasive plants throughout the RDNO. The general policy is towards selective application of pesticide as opposed to broadcast treatments. Generally these sites are isolated, small patches of noxious weeds/invasive plants that immediately threaten non-infested agricultural or Crown land, or are located near the roadside, readily available for transport to a non- infested area.
available
through the Noxious Weeds & Invasive Plants Program:
- Noxious Weeds of the North Okanagan & Invasive Plant Guide
To receive bulk copies of this brochure, please contact John Friesen, RPF, Weed Control Officer, 250 550 3749 or e-mail john.friesen@rdno.ca.
 Wanted Weed Posters
For enquiries to the RDNO Noxious Weeds & Invasive Plants Program, please contact:
John Friesen, RPF
Weed Control Officer
Phone: (250) 550-3749
Fax: (250) 550-3701
E-mail: john.friesen@rdno.ca
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