Join the Invasive Species Awareness Fair: Learn how the City keeps natural spaces healthy and balanced

On Saturday, May 25, the City of Mississauga is hosting an Invasive Species Awareness Fair at Erindale Park from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The fair aims to raise awareness about how invasive species affect our natural environment and ways residents can take action. Invasive species are plants, animals or micro-organisms that are not native to Mississauga. In large numbers, invasive species can negatively affect natural environments, habitats, ecosystems and the City’s urban forest.

During the event, residents will learn more about non-native invasive plants and emerging invasive pests. Residents will also have the opportunity to learn how to detect invasive species while exploring Erindale Park on a guided walk, join a garlic mustard pulling competition and participate in other family-friendly activities.

At the fair, there will also be goats to showcase a new and unique approach to managing invasive plant species – goat grazing. The initiative to use goat grazing as an invasive plant control method is new and unique to the area. There will also be baby goats for residents to meet.

Event details

What

The City is hosting the Invasive Species Awareness Fair to share information about invasive species.

Who

Mississauga residents interested in learning more about invasive species in the city.

Registration is not required. If joining the guided nature walk and/or garlic mustard removal, participants must sign a waiver once they arrive (if under 18 years old, a parent or guardian will need to sign the waiver).

When

Saturday, May 25, from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Where

Erindale Park
1695 Dundas St W.
Mississauga, ON

The Invasive Species Awareness Fair will be on the west side of the park, across the pedestrian bridge.

Get involved as a Mississauga Nature Steward

Become a Mississauga Nature Steward and help City staff remove invasive plants in parks and natural areas. As a Nature Steward, you will be provided with training and supplies to work independently or have the opportunity to participate in staff-led events to work alongside City staff and other members of the public.

The City is hosting five stewardship events to learn what garlic mustard is and how to properly remove and dispose of the invasive plant while working alongside City staff.

The events include:

Creditview Wetlands

Saturday, June 1 from 10 a.m. to noon | Register

Adamson Estate

Saturday, June 15 from 10 a.m. to noon | Register

Tecumseh Park

Saturday, June 22 from 10 a.m. to noon | Register

Cawthra Woods

Wednesday, June 26 from 10 a.m. to noon | Register

Sawmill Valley Trail

Saturday, July 6 from 10 a.m. to noon | Register

Report invasive species

The City’s Invasive Species Management Plan and Implementation Strategy guides the management of priority invasive species in priority natural areas across Mississauga.

If you spot an invasive plant species on City property like a park, trail or boulevard, you can report it using the invasive species reporting form. If you spot spongy moth in Mississauga, you can report it using the online reporting form.

Learn more about the Invasive Species Awareness Fair.

Tags

• Invasive Species
• Parks and Forestry
• Things to Do