Take the invasive species survey and, as a thank you, you'll be entered into a draw for a chance to win a $100 Thermëa Spa gift card.

Invasive species are plants, animals, insects, or diseases that do not naturally belong in an area. When they spread, they can harm the environment, affect local communities, and create costly problems. In Ontario, invasive species cause more than $50 million in environmental and economic damage each year.

To address these challenges, the Town is developing its first Invasive Species Management Strategy to help protect and manage municipal lands. A clear plan is important to protect biodiversity, reduce long-term costs, and maintain healthy natural areas for the community.

Have you noticed invasive species in the Town of Whitby, such as those listed below? Invasive species can take many forms, including plants, insects, animals, and pathogens. The photos below highlight a few common invasive plants you may have seen before, but this is not an exhaustive list. If you would like to learn more about the invasive species present in Ontario, visit https://www.invasivespeciescentre.ca/ or https://www.cloca.com/invasive-species.

Common Invasive Species Present in the Town of Whitby

Phragmites Photo courtesy of https://ontariophragmitesaction.ca/	European Swallow-Wort Photo courtesy of www.invasivespeciescentre.ca/	Garlic Mustard Photo courtesy of https://fviss.ca/
European Buckthorn Photo courtesy of https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/home/	Wild Parsnip* Photo courtesy of https://www.ontario.ca/ *Wild Parsnip is a poisonous plant. It causes a painful rash.