• Environmental Initiatives
  • Environmental News
  • Reports & Documents
  • Invasive Species
  • Drinking Water Quality Monitoring
  • Surface Water Quality Monitoring
  • Lake Huron Centre for Coastal Conservation
  • Pine River Watershed Initiative
  • Great Lakes & St. Lawrence Cities Initiative
  • Conservation Authorities
  • Source Water Protection

Invasive Species

Over the past several years there has been an increase in the number of invasive species in our township.  At the same time, there has been a growing awareness of these plants and the township's efforts to control them.
Below is information about these plants and at the side of the screen are documents or links to more information.

Phragmites Australis

Also known as the Common Reed, this invasive plant goes to a height of 2 to 4 m annually and spreads rapidly by seeds or rhizome fragments. In 2010, the Township of Huron-Kinloss obtained permission from the Ministry of Natural Resources to apply pesticide to this plant and now utilizes a application method of wicking as well as cutting.  It is hoped that this program will eradicate phragmites australis from our beaches.

Giant Hogweed

This flowering plant is most easily distinguished by it's "giant" size.  In the spring, usually up until about early May, plants are about 30cm in height and most easily dug up (see articles on the Giant Hogweed before attempting to do this yourself).  Under ideal contitions, the plant is known to grow up to 5.5 m high.  Often mistaken for others in the carrot family, the Giant Hogweed can cause dermatitus in humans.  Please read the accomanying documents (right hand side) for pictures, directions for safe handling, and further information.

Poison Ivy

The Poison Ivy plant is still found in small pockets around the shores of Lake Huron and in some of our wooded areas. As with the Giant Hogweed (above), care needs to be taken when attempting removal of this plant.  More information is available from the links listed on the right hand side.