Take action during Invasive Species Awareness Week

The City of Mississauga is recognizing Invasive Species Awareness Week from Monday, February 26 to Sunday, March 3. You can join virtual or in-person events to learn more about invasive species. Invasive species are plants, animals or micro-organisms that are not native to Mississauga. In large numbers, they can cause an imbalance in the city’s natural ecosystem.

Join one of the City’s events taking place for Invasive Species Awareness Week

• Join a one-hour webinar on Tuesday, February 27 to learn about emerging pests and threats that are in Ontario, but haven’t established in Mississauga. Find out more about four invasive species that effect trees: Oak Wilt, Beech Leaf Disease, Spotted Lanternfly and Hemlock Woolly Adelgid. Register.
• Join a one-hour Invasive Species Trivia session at Hazel McCallion Central Library on Thursday, February 29. Have fun testing your knowledge while working in a team. Light refreshments will be offered and prizes can be won. Register.

Prevent invasive species from spreading

The best way to protect Mississauga’s natural spaces from invasive species is to prevent them from spreading. Help keep the city’s natural spaces healthy and beautiful.

• Report invasive species to help the City map populations of invasive species, create management plans and prevent further spread.
  • 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 (Lymantria dispar dispar) in Mississauga, you can report it using the online reporting form.
• Learn about the City’s Natural Area Stewardship Volunteer Program. Registration will open at the end of March.
• Stay on official trails to avoid picking up and spreading invasive plant seeds.
• Properly dispose of invasive species from your property by putting them with garbage. Do not dump in woodlands as they can spread and affect Mississauga’s parks, trails and greenspaces.
• Consider including native plants in your garden this spring. Check out this Grow Me Instead guide to see alternatives to common invasive garden plants.
• Sign up to receive Forestry emails about upcoming events and stewardship opportunities.

To learn more about ways to help and what the City is doing to manage invasive plants and pests in Mississauga, visit mississauga.ca/services-and-programs/forestry-and-environment/invasive-species/.

Tags

• Invasive Species
• Things to Do