SOOKE – New Democrat MLA Dana Lajeunesse says a local organization will continue fighting the spread of invasive plants, thanks to provincial funding for a local project.

“The Coastal Invasive Species Committee does great work to address the impact of invasive species in their communities, which when left untreated can harm people, plants, and animals throughout B.C.” said Dana Lajeunesse, MLA for Juan de Fuca-Malahat. “Thanks to this funding, they will have more support to continue their work to support people though engagement, outreach, education, in our community and across B.C.’s coasts.”

The Coastal Invasive Species Committee is receiving $10,000

Across the province, 33 projects are receiving a total of $2.89 million to control and eradicate invasive plants.

Invasive plants can disrupt ecosystems, reduce biodiversity, increase soil erosion, impact water quality, and pose a threat to our agriculture and tourism industries. They can also pose a health risk to people and animals. 

Some of the targeted invasive plant species in B.C. include Japanese, Bohemian and Giant knotweed, marsh plume thistle, common tansy, wild chervil, garlic mustard, poison hemlock, spotted knapweed, common bugloss, orange and yellow (non-native) hawkweeds, giant hogweed, blueweed, tansy ragwort, Spartina species, hoary alyssum, purple loosestrife, field scabious, leafy spurge, yellow flag iris and Scotch broom.

People can report invasive plant sightings using the Report Invasives BC app or online at: http://www.gov.bc.ca/invasive-species

Learn More: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2025FOR0018-000381