Happy Holidays everyone! At SSISC, we understand that the holidays can be a hectic time. It can become all too easy to forget good environmental practices. That’s why we have created the 12 Days of Invasive-Free Christmas: A Guide to an Invasive-Free Holiday Season. Follow along for a super festive nudge onto invasive-free best practice each day of Christmas. On the 12 days of Christmas, let’s be invasive-free, by…
Day 1 – Clean Drain Dry
How better to start than with Clean Drain Dry? This Canada-wide initiative aims to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. Aquatic invasives can be extremely detrimental to native habitats.
For example, Zebra and Quagga Mussels can easily spread through boats and aquatic equipment. Within 10 years of introduction, they can cause a 90% loss in biodiversity. They also have dramatic economic impacts as they clog pipes, commercial fishing equipment and hydroelectric dams. Most recently, Quagga Mussels have been found in Idaho. Therefore, the risk of invasive mussels spreading to the Sea to Sky region is a serious concern.
Luckily, we can all work to avoid spreading nasty invasives like Quagga and Zebra Mussels across BC’s beautiful water bodies. As the lakes freeze over and we put away our boats, pontoons, paddle boards and fishing gear, keep in mind these three steps:
How better to start than with Clean Drain Dry? This Canada-wide initiative aims to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. Aquatic invasives can be extremely detrimental to native habitats.
For example, Zebra and Quagga Mussels can easily spread through boats and aquatic equipment. Within 10 years of introduction, they can cause a 90% loss in biodiversity. They also have dramatic economic impacts as they clog pipes, commercial fishing equipment and hydroelectric dams. Most recently, Quagga Mussels have been found in Idaho. Therefore, the risk of Quagga Mussels spreading to the Sea to Sky region is a serious concern.
Luckily, we can all work to avoid spreading nasty invasives like Quagga and Zebra Mussels across BC’s beautiful water bodies. As the lakes freeze over and we put away our boats, pontoons, paddle boards and fishing gear, keep in mind these three steps:
Day 2 – Report Invasive Plants
On the second day of invasive-free Christmas, we are encouraging everyone to report any invasive plants they see. Whether you’re walking along the Valley Trail in Whistler or hiking Siy’ám’ Smánit (the Stawamus Chief) in Squamish, we’d like to know if you see any invasive plants.
During the winter, many invasive plants are hidden under the snow. However, some common invasives stick around for the festive season. A few invasives that would be super useful to know about through winter are Cutleaf Blackberry, English Holly, and English Ivy.
Photo credit: John Ruter, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org (English Holly) and Ellika Cairns (English Ivy)
If you spot any invasives, head to ssisc.ca/report or click below. With this simple gesture, you will help protect our native habitats from invasive plants. That’s GOT to land you on the ‘nice’ list this holiday season, right?
Day 3 – Don’t Let It Loose
Pets are the best. Although pets are a gift, our furry or scaly friends are NOT presents! In fact, giving them as gifts can increase the spread of invasive animals. Crazy right?
Goldfish and Red-Eared Slider turtles are among the common pets that are considered invasive in BC. Letting them loose after they become too much to handle can have detrimental impacts on our native habitats. They have no natural competitors in BC, so they can quickly take over our native ecosystems.
Goldfish grow relative to their surroundings. When they end up in a lake (like One Mile Lake, in Pemberton, or Alta Lake, in Whistler), their size increases dramatically. They compete with native fish and make the habitat less favourable for local aquatic life.
Adopting a pet is not a decision to take lightly. And if a pet becomes too much to handle and needs to be rehomed, don’t let it loose!
Photo credit: Rosemary Taylor, Efauna (Red-Eared Slider)
Pets are the best. Although pets are a gift, our furry or scaly friends are NOT presents! In fact, giving them as gifts can increase the spread of invasive animals. Crazy right?
Goldfish and Red-Eared Slider turtles are among the common pets that are considered invasive in BC. Letting them loose after they become too much to handle can have detrimental impacts on our native habitats. They have no natural competitors in BC, so they can quickly take over our native ecosystems.
Goldfish grow relative to their surroundings. When they end up in a lake (like One Mile Lake, in Pemberton, or Alta Lake, in Whistler), their size increases dramatically. They compete with native fish and make the habitat less favourable for local aquatic life.
Adopting a pet is not a decision to take lightly. And if a pet becomes too much to handle and needs to be rehomed, don’t let it loose!
Photo credit: Rosemary Taylor, Efauna (Red-Eared Slider)
Day 4 – Being Jolly Without Holly
On Day 4 of the 12 Days of Invasive-Free Christmas, let’s find ways to decorate without holly.
English Holly is a highly invasive species in the Sea to Sky region because it has no natural competitors here. Left unchecked, it forms dense thickets that keep native plants from accessing the light, water and nutrients they need to grow.
Luckily, we have curated a page filled with plenty of festive decorations you can make at home, sans holly.
If you already have holly in your house, do not fear! Once it’s no longer needed, simply dispose of the holly in the garbage. Do not compost invasive plants in the Sea to Sky!
This holiday season, spread cheer far and near. Make your home jolly without holly!
Day 5 – Cleaning Backcountry Gear
Wow, aren’t we so lucky to live in such a stunning region. Backcountry skiing and snowboarding is an amazing way to explore the mountains around us. That is why this winter season has us stoked! The alpine looks especially magical this time of year, but let’s not love it to death.
Heading off the trails comes with it some responsibility. The often untouched habitats you are entering deserve protection from invasive species.
Without realizing it, you could be introducing invasive plant parts into these habitats through your gear. On Day 5 of the 12 Days of Invasive-Free Christmas, let’s practice PLAY CLEAN GO with our ski and snowboard gear!
Wow, aren’t we so lucky to live in such a stunning region. Backcountry skiing and snowboarding is an amazing way to explore the mountains around us. That is why this winter season has us stoked! The alpine looks especially magical this time of year, but let’s not love it to death.
Heading off the trails comes with it some responsibility. The often untouched habitats you are entering deserve protection from invasive species.
Without realizing it, you could be introducing invasive plant parts into these habitats through your gear. On Day 5 of the 12 Days of Invasive-Free Christmas, let’s practice PLAY CLEAN GO with our ski and snowboard gear!
Day 6 – Buy Local, Burn Local
Nothing is better than a cozy log fire after a long day on the slopes, but did you know that not all firewood is created equal?
Firewood can carry invasive pests such as Asian Long-Horned Beetle. This invasive beetle is a particular threat in Canada due to its destructive impact on maple trees.
Buy Local Burn Local is a Canada-wide initiative to prevent the spread of invasive pests via firewood.
Invasive pests have no natural competitors in our region, so they could quickly take over our native ecosystems if introduced. When buying firewood, always buy local to avoid spreading invasive pests! This winter season, buy local, burn local.
Day 7 – Check Seed Packets
Did you know that you can buy invasive plants at the garden centre? And no, there is not an invasive aisle that you haven’t stumbled upon yet. These invasives tend to be well-hidden behind specific terms.
Fear not, we’ve got you covered! We have compiled a nifty guide outlining the key red flags to look out for when buying plants.
Listen up gardeners, this one is for you! Before buying seed packets, there’s something you ought to do: check the packet for red flags, like plants that described as “pest resistant” or “tough to kill”. These are potential signs of invasives that make ecosystems ill!
If you are after a wildflower seed mix to bring some wild to your garden, we have just what you’re after! We can guarantee that these seed packets contain no BC invasives.
Did you know that you can buy invasive plants at the garden centre? And no, there is not an invasive aisle that you haven’t stumbled upon yet. These invasives tend to be well-hidden behind specific terms.
Fear not, we’ve got you covered! We have compiled a nifty guide outlining the key red flags to look out for when buying plants.
Listen up gardeners, this one is for you! Before buying seed packets, there’s something you ought to do: check the packet for red flags, like plants that described as “pest resistant” or “tough to kill”. These are potential signs of invasives that make ecosystems ill!
If you are after a wildflower seed mix to bring some wild to your garden, we have just what you’re after! We can guarantee that these seed packets contain no BC invasives.
Day 8 – Shop Eco-Friendly Gift Guide
Gift-giving is one of the best parts of the season. Showing appreciation to loved ones is so heart-warming (we’re getting the warm fuzzies just thinking about it!). Extend your appreciation for nature on the 8th Day of Invasive-Free Christmas by gifting eco-friendly.
Whether you can buy secondhand, make something yourself, or give an experience, there are plenty of ways to give back to nature this time of year.
We have put together an eco-friendly gift guide to spark inspiration.
PSA: Friendly reminder that it is impossible to be perfect, but a little effort goes a long way.
Day 9 – Report Invasive Animals
Did you see that? It looks like someone let their goldfish loose… and now its descendants are swimming around Whistler and Pemberton lakes! Time to report that invasive animal.
Photo credit: L. Gronneberg (Bullfrog) and US Fish and Wildlife Service (Mussels)
Invasive animals such as American Bullfrog, Zebra and Quagga Mussels and even Goldfish can quickly cause issues in our native habitats. They have no natural competitors, so when they are introduced into a new habitat, they quickly take over. This could easily throw our beautiful ecosystems out of wack!
This holiday season, we ask that while looking out for Santa’s sleigh, you also peek for invasive animals. If you spot an invasive animal, please report it! If you spot any invasives, head to ssisc.ca/report or click below.
Did you see that? It looks like someone let their goldfish loose… and now its descendants are swimming around Whistler and Pemberton lakes! Time to report that invasive animal.
Photo credit: L. Gronneberg (Bullfrog) and US Fish and Wildlife Service (Mussels)
Invasive animals such as American Bullfrog, Zebra and Quagga Mussels and even Goldfish can quickly cause issues in our native habitats. They have no natural competitors, so when they are introduced into a new habitat, they quickly take over. This could easily throw our beautiful ecosystems out of wack!
This holiday season, we ask that while looking out for Santa’s sleigh, you also peek for invasive animals. If you spot an invasive animal, please report it! If you spot any invasives, head to ssisc.ca/report or click below.
Day 10 – Download iNaturalist
We’ve been chatting a lot about reporting invasives in the 12 Days of Invasive-Free Christmas, but how do you report invasives, without knowing what they look like?
Short answer: you can’t.
That’s why on Day 10, we’re encouraging you to download the app iNaturalist. Not sure what plant you’re looking at? Whip out this app to find the answer (and no, this isn’t a well-covered ad; we just really dig this app!). After using iNaturalist for a while, your plant identification skills will be through the roof! This is not only the ultimate party trick, it’s also super useful for reporting invasives!
Day 11 – Sign Up for our Newsletter
We can’t believe we’re almost done with the 12 Days of Invasive-Free Christmas! It’s going to be a blue Christmas when this is over…
But wait, we’re not saying goodbye! We have a newsletter! On Day 11, keep up to date with all things invasive species and green news by signing up for our newsletter.
We’ll land in your inbox about once a month and never spam you – pinky promise!
We can’t believe we’re almost done with the 12 Days of Invasive-Free Christmas! It’s going to be a blue Christmas when this is over…
But wait, we’re not saying goodbye! We have a newsletter! On Day 11, keep up to date with all things invasive species and green news by signing up for our newsletter.
We’ll land in your inbox about once a month and never spam you – pinky promise!
Day 12 – Walk Your Pup… Invasive-Free!
Nothing says festive like a snowy walk through the forest with an over-excited pup. It’s paws-itively lovely! However, when our good boys run around in the undergrowth, they can pick up seed heads and plant parts from invasives.
On the last day of Invasive-Free Christmas, let’s paws after walkies and clean off all plant parts from our dogs.
PLAY time for a w-a-l-k with the best pup around
CLEAN off all plant parts from your dogs before leaving or entering any recreation site
GO home for treats and cuddles
This will help prevent the spread of invasive plants across our beautiful trails.
Happy Howl-idays!
Feeling Festive?
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