May is Invasive Species Action Month and the province is helping fund the fight by providing nearly $3 million to 33 organizations, allowing them to continue their work against invasive plants.

Invasives, vegetation that is not native to the area, can disrupt ecosystems, reduce biodiversity, increase soil erosion and alter its chemistry, and negatively impact agriculture production and water quality, creating substantial economic and environmental damage. 

"B.C. has some of the most amazing ecosystems in the world, with many that are unique, fragile and in danger from invasive plants," Minister of Forests Ravi Parmar said in a media release. "No on person, group, agency or government can effectively control invasive species alone, and collaboration is critical to everyone's success.

"The work these groups do is crucial in our fight together to ensure B.C.'s unique environments remain healthy and vibrant."  

That work includes supporting B.C.'s Invasive Plant Program in identifying and reporting where the plants have been found, encouraging landowners and managers to control them, and controlling high-risk infestations to limit spread.

"In Canada and B.C., invasive plants are spreading and taking over critical lands, especially sensitive ecosystems such as grasslands and riparian areas," Invasive Species Council of B.C. executive director Gail Wallin said in the release. "They are estimated to cost us over $2 billion in losses annually. As many invasive species are intentionally introduced through activities, such as gardening or moved by tires, it is critical to stop the spread... through increased awareness and adopting responsible practices."

To help carry out the preventive and educational work, $,892,000 in funding has been provided to invasive species committees, environmental groups, researchers and local governments, including a number of regional districts in the Okanagan and Shuswap, including:

• Thompson-Nicola Regional District: $100,000

• Regional District of Kootenay-Boundary: $78,000

• Regional District of Central Okanagan: $15,500

• Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen: $14,000

• Columbia-Shuswap Regional District: $18,000

• Regional District of North Okanagan: $18,000

• Boundary Invasive Species Society: $38,000

• Okanagan and Similkameen Invasive Species Society: $15,000

• Columbia-Shuswap Invasive Species Society: $12,500