Invasive species

Our forests, gardens, yards, rivers and streams are ecologically important places but it's not unusual to find them populated with exotic plants, birds or animals from around the world. 

Some exotic species have become commonplace and it is hard to imagine the landscape without them: apples, lilacs and English sparrows, for example.

But some exotic species have the potential to negatively impact native plants and creatures, reducing the biological diversity of our natural areas.

Purple loosestrife, giant hogweed, buckthorns and garlic mustard are some of the many invasive plants of concern in southern Ontario.

An invasive insect, the emerald ash borer, threatens to wipe out most of that tree species.

Invasive aquatic species such as round gobies, sea lamprey and zebra mussels are found in our waterways.