Phragmites Autralis, is an invasive, non-native reed grass that has established itself in and around the shores of lakes within Almaguin Highlands, including areas within the Township of Perry.
On May 30, members of the local Phragmites Working Group Lake Bernard attended Evergreen Heights Education Centre and, in collaboration with the public school, removed a stand of phragmites.
Phragmites or Japanese Knotweed may be along your shoreline or on your property and if so, you will want to remove it quickly. With a property owner’s help and permission, the Phragmites Working Group Lake Bernard may be able to show you what it is, and help you remove it, beginning with cutting it from your property or at least removing the seed head in the fall. Raspberry Cane Cutters, the tool most recommended to remove Phragmites, can be loaned to assist with the removal on your property.
The Phragmites Working Group Lake Bernard has been locating and removing stands of Phragmites along Lake Bernard and Eagle Lake for more than four years. In some instances, it has grown over 15 feet tall. Phragmites root mats spread up to 10 feet in a season and can be up to four feet thick, sending rhizomes (runners) up to 60 feet long choking out other plant species such as cattails and preventing the free flow of water and streams.
According to wetland biologists and invasive species experts, Phragmites do not serve as a food source for wildlife, and it is too dense to serve as effective cover or nesting grounds. In fact, it is deeply destructive to our recreational fishing as well as our local bird and other wildlife habitat. If it goes unchecked, it will cause property owners’ shorelines to fill in and natural plants to disappear and the loss of biodiversity will cause additional stress to the natural ecosystem around the lake.
Stands of Phragmites spread to other areas which is why it is important that volunteers identify where on the lakeshore it is currently established and also ask if property owners need assistance with the removal of stands. It can take several years to remove, with the expected cutting or spading time being repeated year after year. By working together, the Phragmites Working Group Lake Bernard now have some areas under control.
HERE IS WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP:
- Educate yourself and your neighbours about Phragmites;
- Identify the plant if it exists on your property and let the Phragmites Working Group Lake Bernard know;
- Give the Phragmites Working Group Lake Bernard permission to assess/cut/remove invasive Phragmites on your property according to best practices if you are unable to do it yourself with help from friends and family or properly dispose of it to prevent further spread.
For further information on Phragmites volunteer program under the Near North Enviro Education Centre (NNEEC) in Sundridge. The Phragmites Working Group Lake Bernard hope you will consider joining this effort to ensure the health of our area Lakes, wildlife, maintain property and recreational values for future generations! Please call or email if you need help removing Phragmites from your shoreline.
Chair Marilee Koenderink, Phragmites Working Group Lake Bernard
Marilee.koenderink@gmail.com
(705) 774-3878
To purchase your own cutters please visit Lee Valley Website.
Other information about Phragmites has been posted on the following sites:
The Near North Enviro-Education Centre (NNEEC)
Invasive Phragmites Control Centre
Ontario Invasive Plant Council
Ontario’s Invading Species Awareness Program
Tips for Cutting to Drown Phragmites