Invasive Species Centre

09/08/2026

So much great working happenning due to the Invasive Species Action Fund, supported by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources 👏🌱

09/08/2026

𝐋𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐒𝐢𝐦𝐜𝐨𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐫 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩 𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐫 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞

Learn about Water Soldier and the work underway to manage this invasive aquatic plant. The open house will showcase key management and monitoring approaches from the Lake Simcoe Water Soldier Integrated Management Plan and provide an opportunity to ask questions and learn how you can help.

📅 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟓, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔
🕓 𝟒:𝟑𝟎–𝟖:𝟎𝟎 𝐏𝐌
📍 𝐁𝐖𝐆 𝐋𝐞𝐢𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞
𝟒𝟕𝟏 𝐖𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐀𝐯𝐞, 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐝, 𝐎𝐍 𝐋𝟑𝐙 𝟎𝐉𝟑

Learn more about water soldier and the Lake Simcoe Water Soldier Working Group here: http://lakesimcoews.ca/

09/07/2026

🚗 Heading outside this long weekend? Don’t forget that invasive species can hitch a ride with you!

Whether you’re camping, hiking, boating, fishing or exploring a new area, invasive species can spread through everyday activities. They can hitchhike on:

🥾 Boots, clothing and camping gear
🚙 Vehicles, trailers and ATVs
🚤 Boats, motors and watercraft
🎣 Fishing gear and other outdoor equipment
🪵 Firewood and other materials moved between locations

Before heading home, take a few minutes to Clean, Drain and Dry your watercraft and equipment, and brush off your boots and gear. Buy firewood where you burn it, and leave it behind when you leave.

By taking these simple steps, you can help stop invasive species from hitching a ride to a new place this long weekend! 🌿

Learn more about pathway of spread: https://bit.ly/3QdFor3

09/05/2026

Can you spot water soldier in this pool of look-alikes?

Here are a few hints! Look out for:
Dense mats of floating and submerged vegetation
Thin, sword-shaped leaves with serrated edges
Often found in slow-moving, shallow waters

If you think you see a pineapple in the lake with the features above, snap a photo and report it.

Report sightings via: EDDmapS, iNaturalist, or the Invading Species Hotline: 1-800-563-7711
Learn more: http://lakesimcoews.ca/

09/05/2026

UPCOMING EVENT | Mashkiwizii Manido Foundation and Whitney and Area Algonquins are hosting the All Nations Water Walk 💧

"All women have a sacred responsibility to care for the water as the carriers of Spirit. All men have a sacred responsibility to support those women."

Nibii (water) is sacred. She connects the land, sustains all living beings, and carries life for future generations.
At the Invasive Species Centre, we recognize the responsibility we all share in protecting Nibii and the relations that depend on her.

Will you be joining the annual All Nations Water Walk in Algonquin Park on Saturday, September 12? We invite you to walk in gratitude, reflection, and commitment to protecting the waters.

09/04/2026

09/04/2026

Calling all educators! 🍎🌿

Looking for a fun way to bring environmental learning into your classroom? We've got you covered.

Our free teaching about invasive species resource hub includes curriculum-linked lesson plans, classroom activities, outdoor learning ideas, games, and assessment tools for kindergarten to grade 12. It's designed to help students explore how invasive species affect ecosystems and discover how they can make a difference.

Explore the free resources: https://bit.ly/4oLROmf

09/03/2026

As the gardening season begins to wind down and summer blooms reach their peak, it's a good time to start thinking about fall garden maintenance. Before preparing your garden for winter, take a few extra steps to help prevent the spread of invasive species.

🍁 Planning to plant this fall? Before adding new plants to your garden, check that they aren't invasive in your area. Choose native or non-invasive alternatives whenever possible, and avoid planting species that can spread into natural areas.

🌱 Check your garden for invasive species and remove them before they have a chance to spread or produce seeds.

🍂 Remove invasive plants and dispose of them properly following best management practices OR don't dispose in yard waste

🌼 Consider replacing invasive ornamental plants with native alternatives that support local biodiversity and pollinators.

🧤 Clean your gardening tools, footwear and equipment after working in areas where invasive plants may be present.

By planning fall garden maintenance with invasive species in mind, you can help reduce the spread of invasive species and have a healthy garden!

Learn more about invasive garden plants here: https://bit.ly/4t1k1bl

09/03/2026

Water soldier was first spotted in Lake Simcoe in 2024 and has been putting a damper on the summer sunshine ever since!

Water soldier grows quickly and forms dense mats in shallow water. These mats impede swimming (the leaves are sharp!), boating, and block sunlight from native plants.

The Lake Simcoe Water Soldier Working Group aims to raise awareness about water soldier and its impacts, as well as implement integrated monitoring and management.

How can you help?
-Report sightings of Water Soldier (EDDMapS or iNaturalist)
-Don’t add water soldier to your ponds or water gardens - it’s prohibited in Ontario
-Clean and drain your boat and gear - it’s the law in Ontario

Learn more: http://lakesimcoews.ca/