7 Jul 2025 Council meeting Environment

Invasive Plant Management and Control (Part 1)

Motion
That Council direct Staff to: 1. Begin a phased process to draft a bylaw that prohibits the sale and distribution of specific species on the Invasive Plant Council of BC lists within City limits; 2. Partner with local garden retailers and community organizations on a public awareness campaign to promote awareness about native and non-invasive alternatives and the proper disposal of plant waste; and, 3. Update Nanaimo’s Invasive Plant Management Strategy and resource materials and continue to fund community and Staff participation in the long- term reduction of invasive plants. Include updated action plans to strategically look at sites for removal and restoration plantings.
Minutes, page 7
Sources
Agenda itemCity agenda
Staff reportPage 1
Purpose
To respond to Council’s request and provide context regarding invasive plants at both the Provincial and local level and the availability of invasive plants at local retailers.
Staff report, page 1
Staff recommendation
That the Governance and Priorities Committee recommend that Council direct Staff to begin a phased process to draft a bylaw that prohibits the sale and distribution of specific species on the Invasive Plant Council of BC lists within City limits.
Staff report, page 1
DocumentsStaff report about Environment & Natural Resources, Parks & Recreation

Ian Thorpe No

There we are. Thank you very much, your worship. This is to do with invasive plant management and. Control, and my apologies, but I was not able to take part in the debate when this was approved at the committee level, the recommendation has three parts. One deals with public awareness campaign, which I have no problem with one. Deals with updating our city's invasive plant management strategy, which I have no problem with. But the first part suggests that staff begin a phased approach to draft of bylaw that prohibits the sale and distribution of specific species on the invasive Plant Council of EC lists within the city limits. And I read the staff reports on this very carefully, and I found. Them very interesting. And what I came away with, quite frankly, was the fact that the problem of invasive plants. Lies almost exclusively. In public lands, parklands, forest woodlands and so on. And this proposed drafting of a bylaw is aimed directly at home gardeners who are purchasing plants from their local greenhouses, things like Compreh and St. John's Wart. And Daphne, which, quite frankly, I find no reason why local gardeners should not be allowed to. Purchase those and put them in. Pots in their backyard if they so wish. So, for me, the problem, unless I am instructed or informed otherwise is more in forest lands, not in home gardeners, in home gardens. And I don't feel. That a draft bylaw is going to solve the problem of invasive species, so I just don't. Feel it's worth the time and effort that staff would need to put into this. The other components, as they say, of the recommendations, I'm fine with, but because they're all lumped together. I'm compelled, I think, to vote against this. And I just don't see it as being a productive use of staff time. And in fact, I would suggest that any such bylaw aimed at home gardens would in fact, in itself, be invasive.

Hilary Eastmure Yes

Thank you. I just want to thank councilor Thorpe for your comments. And in the extensive coverage on this, the Invasive Species Council of BC noted that an estimated 60% of invasive species are intentionally planted, and we are hearing from experts. That, particularly from garden waste and compost. When people put invasive species into the compost. The seeds and sprouts can grow from there. So. This is about? Taking responsibility at the local level. And really protecting the consumer. From planting something that they may not be aware is harmful to the environment, and it's really putting the onus on the retailers, which is why I think this is an important component.