NEW RESOURCE: Clean Equipment Protocol for Invasive Species Prevention
The Invasive Species Centre has prepared a technical document on best practices for inspecting and cleaning equipment for preventing the spread of invasive species:
Invasive species are plants, animals and microorganisms that have been accidentally or deliberately introduced into areas beyond their normal range, that outcompete native species. Invasive species are a major threat to Ontario’s natural areas, and are very costly to deal with once established.
Invasive species can be spread to new areas by contaminated mud, gravel, soil and plant materials on vehicles and machinery.
The best practice is to prevent the spread of invasive species. By inspecting and cleaning equipment and following some simple guidelines, the risk of spreading invasive plants is greatly reduced.