2015-Apr-27
Phragmites Workshop Well Attended - Adjudicated by Freda Klassen, Chair of GBA Phragmites Sub-committee
An enthusiastic assembly of Georgian Bay cottagers attended the Phragmites Education Workshop at the Black Creek Pioneer Village in Toronto, Saturday, April 25th.
Presentations from Dr. Janice Gilbert, a Wetland Ecologist, lead author of over 40 Invasive Phragmites related reports, and founder & co-chair of the Ontario Phragmites Working Group; Lynn Short a Professor of Horticulture at Humber College, a hands on community organizer & Phragmites eradicator in the Wymbolwood Beach area near Midland; Nancy Vidler, who chairs the Lambton Shores Phragmites Community Group which has successfully formed partnerships with the municipality, local conservation authorities, cottage associations and private landowners; David Sweetnam, scientist and Executive Director of Georgian Bay Forever and Colin Dobell, the man behind the PhragSpotter App.
The presentations were packed full of information and received with enthusiasm.
Rob Moos, GBA Director and member of the Lands and Forests Committee profiled the GBA Phrag Fact Sheet that he compiled. It was welcomed by attendees and a small supply was made available to them for quick distribution. This fact sheet is available for downloading – Click Here. It’s also available on the GBA website along with other valuable Phragmites information on the Lands and Forest – Phragmites Education & Management Committee page.
If you missed this highly informative and motivating workshop you can soon watch the presentation from the comfort of your own home on the GBA website www.gba.flywheelstaging.com. Bert Liverance, SSCA President, kindly videotaped this event and, with the assistance of GBA Executive Director Bob Duncanson, is in the process of editing the footage for you.
Armed now with detailed knowledge on how to deal with this destructive invasive plant the next steps are to organize at the association level, build a community base and help each other deal with removal and disposal.
