Community

Invasive Species

Invasive species are a serious threat to our environment, economy, and even personal safety. They can damage native ecosystems, spread rapidly, and are often difficult and costly to control once established. Some, like giant hogweed, can even cause physical harm.

Learn how to recognize, report, and safely remove invasive species using the resources below.

Before You Remove Invasive Species, Stop and Learn First!

Many invasive plants spread easily through transport or improper handling. Some are toxic or harmful to touch (e.g. giant hogweed). Before beginning removal, always research or contact a professional first.

Disposal Guidelines

Invasive Species are NOT accepted at the green waste facility:

The following are accepted at the Sechelt Landfill ONLY. Garbage tipping fees apply:

  • Giant Hogweed
  • Scotch Broom (must be secured in clear bags; no flowers and no seed pods)

For more details on disposal, contact the SCRD directly.

Report Sightings

Reporting invasive species may help land managers respond quickly and be able to control the population before it spreads too widely!

Important: Please ensure you include a photo with your report!

How to Report:

1. Download the free reporting app

2. Email invasive.plants@gov.bc.ca (please attach your photo to the email)

3. Report Online

Helpful Information on Common Invasive Plants

All information and photos are from:

Knotweeds

Identification: Bamboo-like tall, straight and dense plant, 1-5 meters in height, stems hollow and green, flowers in plumes of small, white to green clusters, leaves heart-shaped, growing in a zig-zag pattern.

Threat: Grows aggressively and is very difficult to eradicate, often found in riparian areas and roadways. Can grow through asphalt and concrete, damaging infrastructure with high repair costs.

Control: Chemical control is recommended with a systemic herbicide, requiring treatment for 3-5 years. Do not cut or dig, as even small fragments can regrow.

Disposal: Best practice is to avoid off-site knotweed disposal due to the high risk of spread during transport. If best management practices are followed and chemical control methods are used, treated knotweed canes can be left on site to compost, and disposal is not necessary.

Giant Hogweed

Identification: Large, jagged green leaves (up to 1.5 metres wide) with thick, purple-blotched stems with stiff white hairs. Umbrella-shaped white flower clusters (up to 1 metre wide).

Threat: Giant hogweed poses serious health risks. Its sap can cause severe skin burns and even blindness if it contacts skin and is exposed to sunlight.

Control: Mechanical control is most effective on small infestations of immature plants (1–2 years old). Digging can work at this stage, but is not recommended for mature plants, as their deep taproots (over 1 m) must be entirely removed to prevent regrowth. Cutting the top 8–12 cm of the central root annually may help. See factsheet for more information.

Disposal: Do not compost any plant material. Bag it securely in heavy-duty garbage bags and dispose of at the Sechelt landfill.

Scotch broom

ID: Perennial woody shrub, up to 3 meters tall, with yellow flowers, leaves 5 to 20 millimetres long, oval, alternating, pea pod seeds.
Threat: Easily invades sunny sites like roadsides and recently logged areas. Crowds out native plants, obstructs sightlines, and increases the intensity of wildfires.
Control: Manual, hand removal for young plants, cutting for older plants. Removal best done in June, before seed production
Disposal: Scotch Broom is accepted at the Sechelt Landfill as long as it is secured in clear bags; no flowers and no seed pods.

The Town is required to manage noxious weeds as a land manager under the BC Weed Control Act, and is given the power to enforce the BC Weed Control Act by creating bylaws under the Community Charter.

Previously, Town of Gibsons’ Council was considering the introduction of a bylaw to regulate the effective management of invasive plants, particularly the Knotweed species. However, after some discussion, this bylaw was put on hold due to a lack of an effective disposal method for knotweed.

Staff is currently seeking an invasive species expert to address Council on a possible bylaw approach and next steps in the fight to eradicate these destructive plants.

MOTI is the Pest Management Plan (PMP) holder for Invasive Plant Management on public lands in the Sunshine Coast Regional District.

As invasive plant management will only be successful through continued collaboration among land managers, the Town of Gibsons aims to work in tandem with MOTI, wherever possible, to control invasive species.