Purple Loosestrife along Thames River

An EDRR plan consists of six key steps:

1. Early detection – Observation, preliminary identification and reporting of invasive plants believed to be new to the area

2. Identification – Species verification

3. Alert Screening – Confirms whether the species is new to the area and present at an extent deemed eradicable; evaluated risk and determines if the species is designated as prohibited provincially or federally

4. Risk Assessment – Measures probability of entry, establishment and spread, and the associated economic, environmental and social impacts. Assign assessed species a risk rating of high, medium, or low – this determined how the EDRR process will proceed

5. Rapid Response – Development and implementation of a response plan, including obtaining land access and treatment permits

6. Monitoring & Reassessment – Evaluation of the success of the response and whether the EDRR objectives were achieved; reassessment of the pan as new monitoring becomes available

Areas within the Natural Heritage System with a priority invasive plant species present that are within or in close proximity to rare native species or rare community types should be addressed with a higher priority. Newly established areas that contain priority invasive plant colonies are also important to identify and control as early as possible to prevent spreading and long-term establishment of the priority invasive species in the area.