COUNCILLORS GET UPDATE ON WILD PARSNIP STRATEGY
The City’s Agricultural and Rural Affairs Committee (ARAC) meets on Thursday morning and one of the items on the agenda is a look at the wild parsnip strategy.
The yellow plant was a common sight in Stittsville: along roadways, in ditches, along pathways, in fields. Its sap contains chemicals that can cause skin and eye irritation and make the skin prone to burning and blistering when exposed to the sun.
The City launched a pilot project last year to combat the weed, applying herbicide to over 200km of roadways and parkland, and mowing some of the infested areas. The city also mapped infestation areas, and launched an awareness and education campaign.
Some of the most infested areas around Stittsville last year included Fernbank Road and in the Huntmar/Maple Grove area. You can see a map embedded below.
There’s $98,000 available for the wild parsnip strategy this year (that’s $2,000 less than last year), UPDATE: There’s $198,000 in the budget this year for the wild parsnip strategy, up from $100,000 last year. This year’s program will include more mowing, new herbicides, and continued public awareness.
COYOTE NEAR BLACKSTONE
Heads up for anyone who uses the Trans Canada Trail between Terry Fox and Iber. A Blackstone resident reported seeing a coyote in the community park this week, and on Tuesday staff at Ecole Paul-Demarais reported seeing a coyote out for a quiet walk near the school.
Il y avait des coyotes aujourd'hui près de @EscPaulD, une balade tranquille,nous avons informé les autorités. #cecce pic.twitter.com/pgUtiMa09n
— Jason Dupuis 🎾 (@Jdupuis_prof) March 2, 2016
GOULBOURN MUSEUM BOARD ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS
The Goulbourn Museum’s board of directors is looking for volunteers for its Board of Directors. Members will be elected at the museum’s AGM on April 28. Click here for more info…