In July 2024, Alberta Environment & Protected Areas (EPA) came across a report of Himalayan Balsam / Impatiens glandulifera on the citizen science tool iNaturalist. EPA promptly engaged the Municipal District of Bonnyville and a local environmental stewardship group, Lakeland Industry and Community Association, for a collaborative response effort. One week later, the three groups arranged to meet at the reported location and conducted a partial shoreline survey. Fortunately, the infestation had not grown to an extensive size, and the team was able to remove all the invasive plants encountered. By catching this problem early, the team was able to protect the shoreline habitat and avoid more disruptive control measures required for larger infestations. The report by a member of the public was the key to success in this case. You can help protect Alberta waters by reporting any and all aquatic invasive species to EPA via EDDMapS, iNaturalist, epa.ais@gov.ab.ca, or call the Aquatic Invasive Species hotline at 1-855-336-BOAT (2628).
Collaborators: Municipal District of Bonnyville, Lakeland Industrial & Community Association (LICA).
Learn more by watching the following video: https://www.facebook.com/infoLICAonline/videos/stop-the-spread-lica-invasivespecies-mooselake2024-watershed-stopthespread-envir/838697248434902/