KEPO Tackling Invasive Plant Species

The Kahnawà:ke Environment Protection Office (KEPO) is gearing up to launch a new pilot project with a focus on managing invasive plant species. Specifically, they’ll be dealing with Phragmites australis (common reed) and invasive buckthorn. The goal of the project is to enhance the health of local ecosystems, protect biodiversity, and support the long-term sustainability of the environment.

KEPO previously relied solely on the manual removal of these aggressive species, but had limited success in controlling the spread. After consulting with the community, they’re now taking a different approach by implementing a combined strategy that includes:

• Continued manual removal techniques
• Site-specific herbicide treatments applied with care in isolated locations
• Replanting of native trees and shrubs

The project will include a buckthorn removal and restoration site in the Big Fence area, as well as Phragmite management sites along the North Wall, a highway ditch, and spot treatments in the new wetland habitat on Tekakwitha Island. Community members are invited to observe the process between Monday, September 22nd and Friday, October 31st.

All herbicide applications will comply with environmental safety standards, and will be under professional supervision to avoid impacting the surrounding habitats. Soil sampling and vegetation inventories will be conducted to monitor residue and ecological changes, and the results will be shared with the community over the winter.