â–ş Listen Live
â–ş Listen Live
Available on

Navigation

Location

101-2032 Columbia Avenue
Castlegar, BC, V1N 2W7

Phone numbers

Studio: 250-365-6100 OR 1-877-560-1010
Office Phone: 250-365-7600
Office Fax: 250-365-8480

- Advertisement -

© 2025

Sample Page Title

May is Invasive Species Action Month, and the B.C. government is helping kick off the occasion by funding local organizations fighting against invasive plants.

Six local organizations working to keep out invasives will receive a cut of $2,892,000 distributed across the province.

These groups include the Regional Districts of East Kootenay and Kootenay-Boundary, East Kootenay Invasive Species Council, Central Kootenay Invasive Species Society, Boundary Invasive Species Society and Columbia-Shuswap Invasive Species Society.

“B.C. has some of the most amazing ecosystems in the world, with many that are unique, fragile and in danger from invasive plants,” said Ravi Parmar, Minister of Forests.

“No one person, group, agency or government can effectively control invasive plant species alone, and collaboration is critical to everyone’s success.”

Central Kootenay Invasive Species Society (CKISS) Education Coordinator Laurie Frankcom says now is the right time to tackle invasive plants.

“There’s going to be a lot of digging, clipping, cutting and typically the best time to do that is in the spring, especially with species that reproduce by seed,” explained Frankcom.

“Having a really good disposal plan in place is important, too. This just makes sure you’re not bringing this plant debris somewhere else and potentially causing a new infestation.”

B.C. officials say invasive plants can wreak havoc on ecosystems and economies by reducing biodiversity, increasing soil erosion, altering soil chemistry and adversely affecting agriculture production and water quality.

The grants are going toward invasive species committees, local governments, environmental groups, researchers and the Invasive Species Council of British Columbia to continue their work.

“In Canada and B.C., invasive plants are spreading and taking over critical lands, especially sensitive ecosystems such as grasslands and riparian areas,” said Gail Wallin, executive director, Invasive Species Council of British Columbia.

“They are estimated to cost us over $2 billion in losses annually. As many invasive species are intentionally introduced through activities, such as gardening or moved by tires, it is critical to stop the spread of invasive plants through increased awareness and adopting responsible practices.”

The province has an extensive list of invasive plants to be on the lookout for, including marsh plume thistle, poison hemlock, purple loosestrife, field scabious, leafy spurge and many more.

You can find details about the local organizations set to receive funding below:

  • Regional District of Kootenay-Boundary: $78,000
  • Regional District of East Kootenay: $29,000
  • East Kootenay Invasive Species Council: $282,000
  • Central Kootenay Invasive Species Society: $80,000
  • Boundary Invasive Species Society: $38,000
  • Columbia-Shuswap Invasive Species Society: $12,500

Be the first to know! Don’t miss out on breaking news and daily updates in your area. Sign up to MyKootenayNowNews Alerts.

Continue Reading

cjat Now playing play

ckqr Now playing play

- Advertisement -

Related Articles

- Advertisement -

Latest News

Rossland arena lounge renos on hold

City council has taken a skeptical eye to funding renovations to the arena lounge to the tune of $200,000.

John Rustad survives B.C. Conservative leadership review

John Rustad has survived a leadership review by the B.C. Conservatives. 

BCGEU workers strike at B.C. liquor and cannabis distribution sites

The union representing roughly 34,000 public service workers in British Columbia said it is ramping up job action at liquor and cannabis warehouses as a strike enters its fourth week. 

Convoy descends on ostrich farm, owners fear cull will proceed

A convoy that included members of the RCMP and Canadian Food Inspection Agency arrived in the early morning hours.

New health centre opens in Trail

Trail residents now have access to expanded primary care with the opening of a new community health centre.
- Advertisement -

Sample Page Title

- Advertisement -

Rossland arena lounge renos on hold

City council has taken a skeptical eye to funding renovations to the arena lounge to the tune of $200,000.

John Rustad survives B.C. Conservative leadership review

John Rustad has survived a leadership review by the B.C. Conservatives. 

BCGEU workers strike at B.C. liquor and cannabis distribution sites

The union representing roughly 34,000 public service workers in British Columbia said it is ramping up job action at liquor and cannabis warehouses as a strike enters its fourth week. 

Convoy descends on ostrich farm, owners fear cull will proceed

A convoy that included members of the RCMP and Canadian Food Inspection Agency arrived in the early morning hours.

New health centre opens in Trail

Trail residents now have access to expanded primary care with the opening of a new community health centre.

Salary costs climb 11.2 per cent at RDKB in 2024

The Regional District of Kootenay Boundary paid out over $1.3 million more in salary and expenses in 2024 compared to the year before,

Trail’s air cadets squadron turning 75

Trail's 531 Squadron Royal Canadian Air Cadets have started their training year. This is a significant year as it marks the 75th anniversary of the squadron and the 50th year of females in the cadet program.

River safety sign being installed at Fort Shepherd

FortisBC said the structure will support one of six new safety signs, intended to alert the public to potential hazards and restricted zones near the Waneta dam.

Infrastructure, housing, UNDRIP will top agenda as local governments meet in Victoria next week

Members of local governments and First Nations are gathering in Victoria next week for the annual Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM) convention.

B.C. Conservatives support federal bill to classify intimate partner killings as first-degree murder

B.C. politicians are voicing support for a federal Conservative bill that would classify the killing of an intimate partner as first-degree murder. 

“Please stop”: Eby says Alberta’s pipeline dream jeopardizes B.C. projects

Premier David Eby said Alberta’s push for a new pipeline is a threat to existing major projects in B.C. 

ckqr Now playing play

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -

Sample Page Title

Sample author description

Author Archive

Rossland arena lounge renos on hold

City council has taken a skeptical eye to funding renovations to the arena lounge to the tune of $200,000.

John Rustad survives B.C. Conservative leadership review

John Rustad has survived a leadership review by the B.C. Conservatives. 

BCGEU workers strike at B.C. liquor and cannabis distribution sites

The union representing roughly 34,000 public service workers in British Columbia said it is ramping up job action at liquor and cannabis warehouses as a strike enters its fourth week. 

Convoy descends on ostrich farm, owners fear cull will proceed

A convoy that included members of the RCMP and Canadian Food Inspection Agency arrived in the early morning hours.

New health centre opens in Trail

Trail residents now have access to expanded primary care with the opening of a new community health centre.

Salary costs climb 11.2 per cent at RDKB in 2024

The Regional District of Kootenay Boundary paid out over $1.3 million more in salary and expenses in 2024 compared to the year before,

Trail’s air cadets squadron turning 75

Trail's 531 Squadron Royal Canadian Air Cadets have started their training year. This is a significant year as it marks the 75th anniversary of the squadron and the 50th year of females in the cadet program.

River safety sign being installed at Fort Shepherd

FortisBC said the structure will support one of six new safety signs, intended to alert the public to potential hazards and restricted zones near the Waneta dam.

Infrastructure, housing, UNDRIP will top agenda as local governments meet in Victoria next week

Members of local governments and First Nations are gathering in Victoria next week for the annual Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM) convention.

B.C. Conservatives support federal bill to classify intimate partner killings as first-degree murder

B.C. politicians are voicing support for a federal Conservative bill that would classify the killing of an intimate partner as first-degree murder. 

“Please stop”: Eby says Alberta’s pipeline dream jeopardizes B.C. projects

Premier David Eby said Alberta’s push for a new pipeline is a threat to existing major projects in B.C. 

RDCK signs three-year contract with CUPE staff

The deal with Locals 748 and 2264 is retroactive to March 1, 2024 and runs until Feb. 28, 2027.

Area restriction lifted for wildfire east of Ymir

The BC Wildfire Service has lifted an order restricting public access to the area around the Cultus wildfire.

RDKB protests delay in mattress recycling program

The Regional District of Kootenay Boundary is concerned a program to recycle old mattresses won't start this year as expected.

Premier Eby calls for “basic fairness” for B.C. ferry users during Ottawa trip

Premier David Eby said he had “productive” meetings with Prime Minister Mark Carney and several senior officials during his two-day trip to Ottawa.

BCGEU expands job action to include some front-line services

The union representing thousands of public service workers in British Columbia is ramping up job action again, this time affecting front-line services.

ckqr Now playing play

- Advertisement -

Latest News

Rossland arena lounge renos on hold

City council has taken a skeptical eye to funding renovations to the arena lounge to the tune of $200,000.

John Rustad survives B.C. Conservative leadership review

John Rustad has survived a leadership review by the B.C. Conservatives. 

BCGEU workers strike at B.C. liquor and cannabis distribution sites

The union representing roughly 34,000 public service workers in British Columbia said it is ramping up job action at liquor and cannabis warehouses as a strike enters its fourth week. 

Convoy descends on ostrich farm, owners fear cull will proceed

A convoy that included members of the RCMP and Canadian Food Inspection Agency arrived in the early morning hours.

New health centre opens in Trail

Trail residents now have access to expanded primary care with the opening of a new community health centre.
- Advertisement -

Search results for: Sample Page Title

Rossland arena lounge renos on hold

City council has taken a skeptical eye to funding renovations to the arena lounge to the tune of $200,000.

John Rustad survives B.C. Conservative leadership review

John Rustad has survived a leadership review by the B.C. Conservatives. 

BCGEU workers strike at B.C. liquor and cannabis distribution sites

The union representing roughly 34,000 public service workers in British Columbia said it is ramping up job action at liquor and cannabis warehouses as a strike enters its fourth week. 

Convoy descends on ostrich farm, owners fear cull will proceed

A convoy that included members of the RCMP and Canadian Food Inspection Agency arrived in the early morning hours.

New health centre opens in Trail

Trail residents now have access to expanded primary care with the opening of a new community health centre.

Salary costs climb 11.2 per cent at RDKB in 2024

The Regional District of Kootenay Boundary paid out over $1.3 million more in salary and expenses in 2024 compared to the year before,

Trail’s air cadets squadron turning 75

Trail's 531 Squadron Royal Canadian Air Cadets have started their training year. This is a significant year as it marks the 75th anniversary of the squadron and the 50th year of females in the cadet program.

River safety sign being installed at Fort Shepherd

FortisBC said the structure will support one of six new safety signs, intended to alert the public to potential hazards and restricted zones near the Waneta dam.

Infrastructure, housing, UNDRIP will top agenda as local governments meet in Victoria next week

Members of local governments and First Nations are gathering in Victoria next week for the annual Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM) convention.

B.C. Conservatives support federal bill to classify intimate partner killings as first-degree murder

B.C. politicians are voicing support for a federal Conservative bill that would classify the killing of an intimate partner as first-degree murder. 

“Please stop”: Eby says Alberta’s pipeline dream jeopardizes B.C. projects

Premier David Eby said Alberta’s push for a new pipeline is a threat to existing major projects in B.C. 

RDCK signs three-year contract with CUPE staff

The deal with Locals 748 and 2264 is retroactive to March 1, 2024 and runs until Feb. 28, 2027.

Area restriction lifted for wildfire east of Ymir

The BC Wildfire Service has lifted an order restricting public access to the area around the Cultus wildfire.

RDKB protests delay in mattress recycling program

The Regional District of Kootenay Boundary is concerned a program to recycle old mattresses won't start this year as expected.

Premier Eby calls for “basic fairness” for B.C. ferry users during Ottawa trip

Premier David Eby said he had “productive” meetings with Prime Minister Mark Carney and several senior officials during his two-day trip to Ottawa.

BCGEU expands job action to include some front-line services

The union representing thousands of public service workers in British Columbia is ramping up job action again, this time affecting front-line services.

ckqr Now playing play

- Advertisement -

Latest News

Rossland arena lounge renos on hold

City council has taken a skeptical eye to funding renovations to the arena lounge to the tune of $200,000.

John Rustad survives B.C. Conservative leadership review

John Rustad has survived a leadership review by the B.C. Conservatives. 

BCGEU workers strike at B.C. liquor and cannabis distribution sites

The union representing roughly 34,000 public service workers in British Columbia said it is ramping up job action at liquor and cannabis warehouses as a strike enters its fourth week. 

Convoy descends on ostrich farm, owners fear cull will proceed

A convoy that included members of the RCMP and Canadian Food Inspection Agency arrived in the early morning hours.

New health centre opens in Trail

Trail residents now have access to expanded primary care with the opening of a new community health centre.
- Advertisement -