6.0 WHAT HAVE WE DONE?

a) Invasive Terrestrial Plant Species Overview – UTRCA, 2012

The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) completed a survey in 2012 of invasive terrestrial plant species in seven City owned ESAs: Kains Woods, Warbler Woods, Medway Valley Heritage Forest, Kilally Meadows, Sifton Bog, Meadowlily Woods, and Westminster Ponds/Pond Mills.

In this project, priority invasive plant species were identified based on species listed by the MNRF; species posing a significant threat to Ontario’s biodiversity; previous knowledge of London’s invasive species presence within ESAs; easily identifiable species; and invasive species with available control methods (UTRCA, 2012).

Eleven invasive terrestrial plant species were surveyed for infestation level (compared to native species presence), and density (in relation to total ground cover of the observation area).

b) Environmentally Significant Areas (ESAs)

The City of London has been consistently implementing ecological restoration projects in City owned ESAs since 2006. With a focus on invasive species management, these restoration projects are essential to protecting the ecological integrity of ESAs. The City is an identified leader among other levels of government and other municipalities in demonstrating a proactive approach to the management and control of invasive species in protected natural areas and the policies, actions, and best management practices implemented by the City are serving as an example for the MNRF as they work to determine how to implement the Ontario Invasive Species Act.