Weeds
Plants | Species Checklist | Plant Calendar

The main purpose of the Weed Control Act of Alberta is to ensure that appropriate actions and practices are utilized to control the spread of weeds and to reduce weed infestations to acceptable levels. The act imposes a duty on landowners to control designated noxious weeds. The Act applies to all land in Alberta. Plants with the potential to become a problem or that are already problems are placed in one of three categories: restricted, noxious or nuisance. 

RESTRICTED WEEDS: Those that have the potential to become a serious problem but are still at a population level provincially such that there is a chance to contain their spread. These plants possess highly competitive characteristics, inherent means for rapid spread and may pose difficulties for control. Landowners whose property harbors restricted species are obligated to eradicate them (completely destroy all parts of the plant). 

NOXIOUS WEEDS: Those that have a significant impact on agriculture and are difficult to control in crops.  These plants can spread rapidly and cause major crop losses. These species are typically widespread in Alberta. Landowners are compelled to control the spread of these species. 

NUISANCE WEEDS: These are the most common weeds, widespread across the province. Their further spread is almost impossible to stop because they already occupy every area to which they are biologically suited. They are usually easy to control in crops and are listed primarily so weed managers keep an eye on them. 

The Act contains an enforcement tool that allows designated municipal employees to compel landowners to control noxious and restricted weeds on their land. If the landowner refuses to take appropriate measures, the municipality can enter the land and do the control measures. The cost is added to the landowners' property tax bill.

An active weed control program, within budget and human resources constraints, is in place for the park. Four methods, biological, mechanical, manual and chemical, are used. Criteria used to select the method include weed species, proximity to water, other plant species in the area and wildlife.

Further information on weed control is available from Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development and Calgary Parks and Recreation Department, Horticultural Information at (403) 268-4678. 

Noxious and restricted weeds are invaders from Europe and Asia. Unlike native plant species, these introduced plants are not kept in check by insects, fungi or plant pathogens. These weeds present a very real threat to the biological diversity of Fish Creek Provincial Park. They drastically affect native ecosystems by decreasing native biodiversity and impacting plant and animal life, increasing soil erosion. 

WEEDS PRESENT IN FISH CREEK PROVINCIAL PARK

RESTRICTED Nodding Thistle (Carduus nutans) minor problem  pulled when found, location mapped and sprayed the following year

Scentless Chamomile (Matricaria maritima) found in all areas of the park  spreads quickly but can be controlled by pulling and bagging the plants prior to completion of flowering thereby preventing seed formation and distribution

Canada Thistle (Cirsium arvense) most plentiful weed in the park: about 340 acres infested  spreads by seeds and freely sprouting, creeping root stalks