Project Purple Week August 1-7, 2004

Every year youth clubs, cottage associations, civic groups and individuals 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 color, purple loosestrife can invade huge areas of wetlands, including marshes; riverbanks 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. 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, 2004, the O.F.A.H. is urging community groups and individuals to do their part against this persistent and prolific pest. This is a week to encourage volunteer community involvement and promote public awareness of the ecological problems associated with purple loosestrife.

This summer the O.F.A.H., through a partnership initiative with Wetland Habitat Fund and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, has taken a major step forward in controlling purple loosestrife with an innovative biological control program using the natural enemies of purple loosestrife, the leaf-feeding Galerucella beetles. To date, over 80 releases have been conducted throughout the watersheds of eastern Ontario. The involvement of numerous community groups and landowners has certainly been fundamental to the success of this initiative.

For smaller populations of purple loosestrife, manual efforts such as digging and clipping are effective ways of curbing its spread before it becomes firmly established in an area. During Project Purple Week the O.F.A.H. has events planned in places such as Oshawa, Ottawa, Perth, Peterborough and Midland that involve mechanical control, information seminars, public awareness talks, educational programs, and beetle releases.

“We encourage volunteers in every community across the province to take part in the efforts to help control purple loosestrife,” said Francine MacDonald, O.F.A.H. Invading Species Biologist. “By hosting educational programs and control sites, groups and individuals can help make a difference,” added MacDonald.

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.