For Immediate Release
July 28, 2003
Once again across Ontario youth clubs, cottage associations, civic groups and individuals will join the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (O.F.A.H.) in the fight against purple loosestrife, an aggressive invader that is choking the life out of our vast and wonderful wetlands.
Despite its beautiful purple color, purple loosestrife can invade huge areas of wetlands, including marshes, river banks and even low lying farm fields. As the sea of purple spreads, fewer and fewer native species of plants and animals are able to thrive. Aggressive and with few natural enemies to control its rampant growth, purple loosestrife can displace native plants on which fish and wildlife depend for food, shelter and habitat.
As part of Project Purple Week from August 1-7, 2003, the O.F.A.H. is urging community groups and individuals to do their part against this persistent pest. This is a week to encourage volunteer community involvement and promote public awareness of the ecological problems associated with purple loosestrife.
The purple loosestrife problem is not new, and every year countless volunteers and community and environmental agencies pitch in to conserve our precious wetlands. The hard work of volunteers has helped greatly, but purple loosestrife still poses a major threat to our ecosystem.
Purple loosestrife traditionally blooms in July and August and this is an excellent time to take to the fields, marshes and river banks to practice purple loosestrife control before the seeds spread. Manual efforts such as digging and clipping are very important means to curb the spread of small populations of purple loosestrife before it becomes firmly established in an area.
In larger areas of infestation biological control with small leaf eating insects called Galerucella beetles is also being used to help control the spread of the invader. This summer, with financial support from the Ontario Living Legacy Trust, the O.F.A.H. has joined forces with Ducks Unlimited Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources to conduct numerous beetle releases in northern Ontario.
The O.F.A.H. has numerous events planned for Project Purple Week around the province involving mechanical control, information seminars, public awareness talks, educational programs and beetle releases.
“We encourage every community in the province to take part in the efforts to help control purple loosestrife,” said Francine MacDonald, O.F.A.H. Invading Species/Fisheries Biologist. “By hosting educational programs and control sites, groups and individuals can help make a difference.”
For more information about purple loosestrife or to participate in a Project Purple event in your community call the O.F.A.H./M.N.R Invading Species Hotline at 1-800-563-7711.