Parksville residents, city workers and area organizations recently teamed up to remove approximately 90 bags of an invasive plant species, known as lamium, from Shelly Creek Park.
Over four days in late June, the City of Parksville, Coastal Invasive Species Committee (Coastal ISC), the Friends of Shelly Creek Park, the Mid Vancouver Island Habitat Enhancement Society (MVIHES), the Arrowsmith Naturalists and neighbourhood residents were able to remove a number of invasive plant species without the use of herbicide in the park, according to a city news release.
An infestation of lamium in sensitive Shelly Creek Park has been taking over a large section of ground and swallowing up newly-planted Douglas fir and large-leaf maple seedlings. Lamium can be found in shaded, and partially shaded, habitats such as wooded areas and can easily outcompete natural ground covers.
“If it were to make it to where Shelly Creek flows through the park, it could out-compete the natural riparian vegetation needed for stream bank stability and shade for the resident Cutthroat Trout,” the release stated.
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The bags of lamium were taken to the transfer station. Work continues in the park to remove more of this invasive species. If you wish to help, email friendsofshellycreekpark@gmail.com.
— NEWS Staff, submitted