The Government of British Columbia is providing $58,000 in grants to help manage the spread of invasive plants on Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast, announced Premier John Horgan, MLA for Langford-Juan de Fuca.

BC Parks is making $240,000 available to support volunteer projects that will enhance park services, and protect the conservation and heritage values of these natural spaces for all British Columbians to enjoy.

Young people throughout British Columbia will have an opportunity to acquire a diverse range of job skills while working in the province’s spectacular natural environment, through the new BC Parks Student Ranger Program.

In an effort to eradicate a growing population of gypsy moths and minimize the risks they pose to forests, farms, orchards and trees, 94 hectares near Courtenay are planned for an aerial spray beginning in early May until June 30, 2018.

The B.C. government has proclaimed May 2017 as “Invasive Species Action Month” to help raise awareness of invasive plants and animals in British Columbia and to highlight the environmental and economic damage they can cause.

The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations has been issued a pesticide use permit to aerial-spray 182 hectares of residences, park and farm land around Elk Lake in Saanich with a spray approved for use on organic farms, to eradicate a growing population of gypsy moth and minimize the risk they pose to forests, farms, orchards and trees.

The B.C. government is handing out over $1.8 million in new grants to help control the spread of invasive plants in the province.