Invasive plants are killing native plants and destroying Coquitlam's beautiful natural habitat.  We need your help to stop the introduction and spread of garden plants that can be harmful to people, animals and ecosystems.

Invasive plants harm the environment.

Invasive plants are non-native plants that spread and take over the natural environment. They push out native plants, including endangered species, and destroy animal habitat.

Invasive plants cost us in a number of ways. They reduce and degrade habitat for fish, birds, and other wildlife and they are expensive to control and eradicate. Invasive plants can also cause erosion and silt problems in creeks that affect our aquatic creatures.  Quite simply, they are bad seeds. 

How did invasive plants come to Coquitlam?

Many invasive plants like English ivy, Giant Hogweed and Japanese knotweed (False bamboo) were introduced to our environment through seeds, cuttings and gardening plants. These plants may look attractive, but they cause a lot of damage to land. Other plants and weeds entered the province by accident through ships, vehicles, wind and water.

Invasive plants grow aggressively, adapt to different situations and are persistent in their spread. Plants like English ivy choke trees, while other invasive plants like Giant Hogweed can actually cause burns to human skin.

Help prevent other non-native plants from spreading into natural areas.

• Never dump garden waste or hanging baskets into natural areas.
• Dispose of plant materials through the City of Coquitlam's Yard and Garden Waste Pick-Up Program.
• Avoid buying non-native plants like English ivy, Japanese knotweed, yellow lamium, morning glory and periwinkle. Check out the Grow Me Instead brochure for alternative plants. 
• If you see invasive plants in your yard, contain them within your property to prevent them from spreading to other properties in the neighbourhood.
• Control weeds that grow under bird feeders. Often seeds in bird feeders fall out and begin to grow on the ground beneath, introducing foreign and invasive plants to our environment.

• Find out which non-native species can invade natural areas and avoid planting them in your garden.
• Be cautious of ordering plant seeds over the Internet or through catalogues. Introducing foreign seeds and plants are a key way that invasive plants found their way to our community.
• Research which plants are legislated as noxious weeds or invasive plants.
• Grow regionally native plants in your garden - for more information contact the Native Plant Society of British Columbia at www.npsbc.org.
• Read the Grow Me Instead brochure.  This booklet illustrates 13 of southern BC's most "unwanted" plants in horticulture, along with recommended alternatives for gardeners and landscapers.

If you would like to volunteer for invasive plant removal events in Coquitlam click the button below or email dslocum@coquitlam.ca for more information.