Should Richmond County Be More Involved In Handling Invasive Species?

PETIT DE GRAT - What can be done to handle Woodland Angelica, an invasive species that has impacted several acres' worth of Isle Madame lands over the past few years?

Is the lupin, seen by many as Cape Breton's most beloved flower, actually a threat to other plant life on the island?

Are the current rules governing Richmond County's municipal landfill in West Arichat prohibitive to those trying to rid their properties of invasive species? 

These questions and many more came up at a June 15 information session at Centre La Picasse in Petit de Grat, which saw the Isle Madame Garden Club joining forces with the three-year-old Nova Scotia Invasive Species Council to supply local residents with information on such invasive species as Woodland Angelica, as well as similar plant species and invasive insect species. 

While the council's outreach coordinator, Hughstin Grimshaw-Surette, confirmed that his organization is not specifically affiliated with any federal or provincial government departments, he is hopeful that the research conducted by the council can influence government policy on invasive species while keeping Nova Scotia residents informed. 

Grimshaw-Surette told the crowd that Woodland Angelica, known officially as Angelica sylvestris, found breeding grounds for its North American development in the Cape Breton and Fredericton areas as far back as the 17th century. Today, the carrot-like plant blooms from July to September and is found in ditches, hedgerows, marshes, fields and woodlands. 

Following his presentation, which was delivered via teleconferencing software, Grimshaw-Surette took questions from nearly 20 people in attendance at Centre La Picasse and heard of their frustrations in dealing with Woodland Angelica. These included some residents' complaints that they had followed the bagging procedures for yard waste outlined by the Municipality of Richmond County, only to have several bags' worth of Woodland Angelica turned away by landfill officials. 

Isle Madame Garden Club president Claire Doyle, who oversaw the June 15 session, expressed hope that a follow-up gathering could be held later in the summer, to give Grimshaw-Surette time to research the answers to some residents' questions for which he did not have an immediate response.