Invasive Grass Takes Over
Pulling Phragmites in Georgian Bay… on this CurrentCast.
Wetlands in Ontario’s Georgian Bay are threatened by an invasive grass called Phragmites that outcompetes many native species.
Sweetnam: “It actually can grow to about 18 feet tall and displace native plants from their aquatic habitat.”
That’s David Sweetnam of the nonprofit Georgian Bay Forever. He says in some areas, there are hundreds of Phragmites plants per square meter.
Sweetnam: “You have species that go between the water and the land like turtles, to lay their eggs. They can’t physically get through the stands of Phragmites.”
So Sweetnam’s group is training volunteers to identify and remove the invasive plants by hand. Learn more.
Sweetnam: “It actually can grow to about 18 feet tall and displace native plants from their aquatic habitat.”
That’s David Sweetnam of the nonprofit Georgian Bay Forever. He says in some areas, there are hundreds of Phragmites plants per square meter.
Sweetnam: “You have species that go between the water and the land like turtles, to lay their eggs. They can’t physically get through the stands of Phragmites.”
So Sweetnam’s group is training volunteers to identify and remove the invasive plants by hand. Learn more.