Invasive Species

Invasive species are species that are not native to this area and that can cause harm to people, economies or the environment. The spread of invasive species is a serious threat to biodiversity. If left uncontrolled, invasive species can damage wetlands, water quality and infrastructure.

The City of Campbell River is working in partnership with other organizations to prevent, eradicate and control invasive species. These species can have serious impacts to City parks, public spaces and environmentally sensitive areas.

What We're Doing

As a part of our Integrated Community Sustainability Plan [PDF/3.8MB], we're prioritizing the management of invasive species. The City is also obligated, under the provincial Weed Control Act, to control noxious weeds.

To specifically address invasive species in the City, we included the Invasive Plant Species Management Policy in the Council Environment Policy [PDF/96KB] and created the Invasive Plant Management Plan. [PDF/4.8MB] The Environmental Protection Bylaw [PDF/378KB] also regulates defined noxious weeds by restricting planting and requiring removal.

Invasive Plant Management

Noxious weeds and invasive plants commonly found in Campbell River include:

  • all four knotweeds (Bohemian, Giant, Himalayan and Japanese knotweed)
  • giant hogweed
  • yellow flag iris
  • scotch broom

Greenways Land Trust is working with the City to lead efforts to control noxious weeds and invasive plants in Campbell River. This includes work through education, work parties and events. Greenways Land Trust also works with other community groups to address invasive species, including the Guardian Watchman Program and local Rotary clubs. Check out Greenways Land Trust's brochure on the top 10 invasive plants:

Invasive Species in Campbell River Brochure

Campbell River BroomBusters has also been working tirelessly to reduce coverage of invasive broom in our parks and along road corridors.

Not For The Wild

In 2023, the City found goldfish in the Erickson Stormwater Pond. Goldfish are invasive species in North America and when released into the wild they pose a threat to the integrity of natural ecosystems. Once introduced, they require significant work and resources to manage.

It's important to remember that some of the most serious invasive species in Canada, such as goldfish and the European rabbit, were originally sold as pets. The pets are not for the wild and should never be released into our waters or outdoor spaces. Check out the Invasive Species Council of BC's information on invasive species as pets for information on what to do with unwanted pets.

What You Can Do

There are several ways you can help control invasive species in Campbell River. To start, we've pulled together resources on invasive species management in the province:

For more information on invasive species and how to properly manage them, check out these helpful resources: