Invasive Species Management

What is the Town doing?

For a general overview of the Town's Invasive Species Program check out our 2024 news release:

How Caledon's Invasive Species Program is Facing Threats as They Come


Other invasive species media:

Caledon Trailway Invasive Species Management
Collaborating with Conservation Authorities

In 2023, the Town collaborated with Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) and Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) in the inventory of 13 prioritized invasive plants along the Caledon Trailway. The goal of this initiative was to enhance the invasive plant species inventory and further inform invasive species management action to support goals highlighted within The Town’s Community Climate Change Action Plan (2021).


In 2024, collaboration was continued through on-the-ground management of prioritized invasive plants. Targeted plant management was expanded further by the Invasive Species Action Fund (ISAF) provided by the Invasive Species Center. ISAF funds in 2024 supported the expansion of chemical and mechanical management of locations on the Trailway within CVC and TRCA watershed boundaries.

Prioritized invasive species for management in 2024:

Japanese knotweed (Reynoutria japonica)

Oriental bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus)

Invasive Phragmites (Phragmites australis)

 

What’s happening in 2025

Invasive plant management will continue in 2025 and include the follow-up management of projects started in 2024, as well as initiating the control of Dog Strangling Vine (DSV, Vincetoxicum rossicum). DSV is a noxious weed that threatens agriculture and forestry practices due to its dense growing patterns and ability to change the chemical composition of the soil it grows in. DSV is also listed as restricted under the Ontario Invasive Species Act , making it a high priority for the Town to control in natural areas.

Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) and Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) will continue chemical and mechanical control of Japanese knotweed, Oriental bittersweet, invasive Phragmites and dog Strangling vine following an integrated pest management approach.  

 

Where are treatments occurring?

Due to the extensive spread of dog strangling vine, many segments of the Trailway have been selected for management. Areas to be controlled run adjacent to the trail, but the trail will not be directly treated. 

Pesticide warning signs will be posted at the gates and along the work areas of active treatment areas a minimum of 24 hours before treatments occur. To limit potential exposure, trail users and pets must stay on trail when these signs are present. 

 

 

Other invasive plant management on the Trailway 

The Town’s invasive species program has also initiated the physical removal (hand pulling or digging) of Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata) and Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) in select areas of the trailway. Town staff may be seen working in these locations throughout the spring and summer months. 

Check your shoes - boot brush stations
Have you seen one of our boot brush stations?

We’ve installed three along the Caledon Trailway.
By brushing off seeds and other plant material, these stations help to reduce the spread of invasive plants on the Trailway, and along other trails found in Caledon. No station available? Make sure to scan and check for plant material on your shoes and clothing before entering and exiting the Trailway. 

 

Boot brush station

Noxious weed management
What is a noxious weed?

A noxious weed is a plant species that has been designated under the Weeds Control Act. To obtain this designation the plant is defined as difficult to manage and impacts agriculture, negatively impacts the health and well-being of livestock, or poses a risk to health and well-being of people.

Note: Noxious weeds can include invasive, non-native, and native vegetation.

The Town is actively managing noxious weeds that are poisonous to touch in several Town-owned locations. Using both mechanical and chemical management approaches targeted noxious weeds include:

  Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum: Invasive & Noxious)

Wild Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa: Invasive & Noxious)

Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans: Native & Noxious)

If you think you have found a noxious weed, report it to Service Caledon at 3-1-1 or email info@caledon.ca 

Learn more about invasive plants

For more information on invasive plants, their impacts, and best management practices see the following resources:

Report invasive species on public property
Think you found an invasive species on Town property?

Report it to Service Caledon at 3-1-1 or email info@caledon.ca

OR

Report your findings to the Invasive Species Centre or on EDDMapS. 

Invasive species on your property 
Check out our Trees and Yards page for more information on invasive plants and pests that threaten the health and biodiversity of your trees and property.