SIX NATIONS – Introduced plant species to an area they are not indigenous to sometimes overtakes the natural foliage and strangles it out. This kind of plant is known as phragmites. This unwanted intrusion is one of the many targets Six Nations’ Kayanase Greenhouse is focusing on throughout the Haldimand Tract, as well as locally at Six Nations of the Grand River Territory.
“Invading species are one of the greatest threats to the biodiversity of Ontario’s waters and woodlands,” according to Kayanase researchers and horticultural experts. “Originating from other regions of the world, and in the absence of their natural predators or controls, invading species can have devastating effects on native species, habitats and ecosystems.
“Here at Kayanase, we take invasive species seriously,” says manager Cathy Smith. “Our objective is to provide education and awareness to the public, as well as monitor and help eradicate non-native species.”
Tall weeks such as Giant Hogweed, Common Buckhorn, Purple Loosestrife and others, are choking out indigenous counterparts in roadside ditches, laneways, and fields,” says Smith. “We are working on roadside eradication of these invasive species first.”
Seed is spread far and wide by wind, animals, birds and people’s clothing and once it takes a foothold, it is not easy to stop the spread. The simple cutting down of the visible parts of these species is not enough.
“The roots spread out a good distance from the visible plant and it is from these roots that new sprigs grow,” explains Smith. “You may think you are getting it when you cut it down but actually, you are missing the whole thing.”
Field workers from Kayanase use a more hands-on approach with a method they call “wicking”.
In this process, field workers put an approved herbicide on gloves and rub the stems and leaves of the plant they want eradicated. The herbicide eventually makes its way to the roots where it kills the plant and prevents reestablishing itself.
Another method is called Matting where they douse a piece of carpet or another matt like carrier and drag it over the infested area with the same results.
Other introduced species, which quickly take over an area and push out indigenous species include Japanese Hog Weed, Wild Parsnip, Garlic Mustard and Dog Weed.
Recently Kayanase hosted an Open House where they explained to visitors the need to eliminate these invasive species aggressively and quickly to prevent them from taking any further foothold on their properties and, to a larger extent, the province.
Kayanase boasts large municipal contracts throughout southwestern Ontario including
“We are here not only for the City of Hamilton, the Grand River Conservation Authority, Union Gas, AECON, the Royal Botanical Gardens as well as smaller projects like the landscaping of the new Six Nations Skate Park,” says Smith.
Other clients include the reforestation of the footprint of the Red Hill Valley Expressway in Hamilton, Confederation Park, and the community of Halton Hills, and others.
But they also offer their services to private homeowners who call for not only the control of unwanted plant life, but to reseed with seed and plant sprigs indigenous to the region.
The service provided by Kayanase is one of only a few in Ontario, which is dedicated to preserve indigenous plant life to the region and the eradication of out of control invasive introduced species.
Kayanase continues to help create awareness to the need of eliminating these and other invasive plants known a phragmites in the Six Nations community and for other communities and organizations.
“Our organization is about restoring Mother Earth holistically, through the collection of native seeds, to seed processing, seed propagation, planting, monitoring and eventually back to healthful biodiversity,” according to their mission statement.
“We are dedicated to improving the health of Mother Earth using science-based approaches and Traditional Ecological knowledge.”
