Alberta Invasive Species Council

06/02/2026

We’re taking back the term “Wildflower”!🪻🌼

When most people hear the word wildflower, they think of beautiful blooms growing across Alberta's landscapes. But many plants marketed as "wildflowers" or found growing in the wild are actually non-native species that can spread aggressively and harm our ecosystems.

That's why we're launching the🌸WILDFLOWERS NOT WEEDS🌻 campaign! AND a contest!

Show us YOUR FAVOURITE Alberta wildflower by posting a photo 📸 in the comments below!
🎁 10 winners will receive an exclusive Wildflowers Not W**ds sticker pack
⏰ Contest closes June 15!

We're taking back the term wildflower to mean what it should: native plants that evolved in Alberta, support biodiversity, and provide essential ecosystem services 🌱 Did you know?
• Many commercial "wildflower" seed mixes contain non-native species
• Some may even include plants that become invasive in Alberta
• Alberta's 370+ native bee species evolved alongside native wildflowers and depend on them for food and habitat
• Native plants provide the diversity, nutrition, and seasonal blooms that pollinators need to thrive

Good intentions can still cause harm. That's why we're encouraging Albertans to choose ✅ native plants and avoid ❌ generic wildflower seed mixes whenever possible – check out Alberta Native Plant Council’s resources and Native Plant Garden Challenge to dedicate as little as one square metre to native plants!

Big thanks to Megan and the team at Kootenay Invasive Species Council - EKISC!!
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05/29/2026

👇👇👇

Let’s keep Alberta invasive mussel free!

Before travelling with your watercraft make sure you know the rules!

In Alberta, stopping at an open watercraft inspection station is mandatory. If you enter Alberta from the southern or eastern borders from May 1 to Sept 30, you must attend an inspection station within 7 days—or before launching into Alberta waters, whichever is sooner.

For information https://www.alberta.ca/watercraft-inspections

05/28/2026

Raise your hand if your regulations have ever been victimized by Chat GPT 🙋

Chat GPT's overall verdict:
▪️40% serious agriculture policy
▪️60% “we googled ‘plants that sound evil

We appreciate the feedback and recognize that people have differing views on the use of AI. Our goal with this post was to encourage people to learn more about Alberta's W**d Control Regulation and the impacts invasive species have on our environment, economy, and communities!

If you'd like to learn more about invasive species management in Alberta, we're always happy to continue that conversation.

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05/26/2026

⚠️Updates to Alberta’s W**d Control Act 🚨

Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation finalized changes to the regulated w**d list and updated the Alberta W**d Control Act — bringing the total to 95 regulated species across the province.

Know your w**ds & your responsibilities! To help provide additional context and answer questions about the recent changes made by Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation to the regulated w**d list and W**d Control Act, AISC will be hosting a webinar with Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation to discuss the updates, rationale, and what they mean for land managers, municipalities, and Albertans.
Register here: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_-7nH-SXMR3KEemKVJ05NLQ #/registration

These updates help guide land managers, municipalities, and the public in preventing the spread of invasive plants and protecting Alberta’s landscapes.

👉 kings-printer.alberta.ca/1266.cfm?page=2010_019.cfm&leg_type=Regs&isbncln=9780779860760

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05/25/2026

PSA: saving ecosystems isn’t a solo mission — it’s a group project🤝

Invasive Species Action Month is all about getting involved locally — whether you’re rolling solo or bringing the group chat with you

Start small, show up, and watch the impact grow. Here are some ways you can get involved:
📸 Join a Bioblitz (or host your own backyard version) — ID everything you can find and challenge your friends
🧤 Show up to an Invasive Species Removal Event or organize one yourself
📱 Report sightings — your data actually matters
📣 Share what you’re doing & get others involved (yes, this is your sign to post it)

05/21/2026

Don’t make an ASH out of yourself — know what signs to report of Emerald Ash Borer activity!🪲🌳

Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week is in full swing, and early detection is key to protecting Alberta’s ash trees and urban forests. Watch for these warning signs:
🔍 Increased woodpecker activity
🔍 D-shaped exit holes in the bark from emerald ash borer
🔍 Branch decline and canopy dieback
🔍 Thinning, sparse or yellowing foliage
🔍 Many new shoots growing from the base or trunk of the ash tree

If you spot these symptoms on ash trees in your area, report them to CFIA, the free EDDMapS app or your local municipality! And remember, Don't Move Firewood 🚫🪵

05/19/2026

Main character energy = spotting invasive species early👀🌿

That’s the whole idea behind Early Detection & Rapid Response (EDRR) — and honestly? It starts with you.

Invasive Species Action Month is all about building your ID skills and becoming that person who notices when something’s off — in your neighbourhood, local park, or fave trail.

What You Can Do:
📍 Learn to ID common invasive species in your area
🚶‍♀️ Romanticize your daily walks this month — notice what’s growing around you
📱 Download apps like EDDMapS or iNaturalist to ID + report sightings
🧠 Go beyond ID — learn the impact these species have
🏡 At home: recognize what doesn’t belong in the wild & stop the spread!
🐟 Follow Don’t Let It Loose practices with pets

05/15/2026

CD3 Stations are officially OPEN FOR BUSINESS for the 2026 season!!💧

Whether you’re boating, paddling, fishing, or enjoying Alberta’s waters, help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species by cleaning, draining, and drying your gear before heading to your next waterbody. Stop by our free, self-serve CD3 stations at:
📍 Riel Recreation Park – St. Albert
📍 Sir Wilfrid Laurier Park – Edmonton
📍 Cardiff Trout Pond – Sturgeon County
📍 Astotin Lake Launch – Elk Island National Park

Watch our socials to see where our mobile CD3 unit will be stationed!

CD3 Systems

05/14/2026

Don’t wait until harvest—get your Certified W**d Free Forage stamp of approval lined up before the rush hits✅

Why certify?
It helps protect your land, keeps invasive w**ds in check, and ensures your forage meets requirements for transport and sale across regions.

Getting certified is straightforward:
All it takes is a call ☎ to a certified inspector to get started.

Here’s what to expect:
👉 Inspection must happen within 10 days of harvest
👉 Need more time? A re-inspection will be required
👉 You can certify part or all of your field
👉 Fields qualify as w**d-free when no propagative parts are present (no flowers, seed heads, or root fragments)

Contact your local municipality to book an inspection.

Interested in getting more involved? Reach out to AISC for details on becoming a producer, certified inspector, or participating county.

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05/13/2026

Join us for a FREE webinar "Invasive Plants in Alberta: Understanding the New W**d Regulations" on June 3 at 6:30PM!

Learn why the regulations have changed, newly regulated species and what they mean for your yard or property, in addition to an overview of invasive species management and the importance of early detection!

Save the date and register now!
➡️https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_-7nH-SXMR3KEemKVJ05NLQ

Please register in advance - the webinar will be recorded and available online after the live event.

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