East Kootenay Invasive Species Council - EKISC

09/04/2026

The last long weekend of summer is almost here - the perfect time to squeeze in one last camping trip, enjoy a few more nights around the campfire, and make the most of the summer. But before you load up the truck, remember one important rule:

DON’T MOVE FIREWOOD!

Firewood can look perfectly harmless while hiding invasive insects and diseases that can hitch a ride to new areas. Once there, they can threaten our forests, parks, farms and wild spaces.

Invasive pests like spongy moth can spread when egg masses hitchhike on firewood, vehicles and outdoor equipment. Other pests, like the Asian longhorned beetle, can travel in infested wood and pose a serious threat to trees.

So, if you’re heading out camping this long weekend, keep your firewood close to home. Buy it where you burn it, and leave it behind when you go.

09/02/2026

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We’re thrilled to have worked alongside Tom Green (Tom Green) to fight Phragmites and raise awareness about the growing issue of invasive Phragmites in Ontario.

Want to learn more? Visit youtube.com/tomgreen to watch the full video!

09/02/2026

Come learn about freshwater at McGinty Lake!

Join EKISC, Living Lakes Canada, the Rocky Mountain Naturalists (SE British Columbia) and Wildsight on September 11 from 1–3 pm at McGinty Lake for an afternoon all about freshwater and the ecosystems that depend on it.

Around 45 students will be taking part in a hands-on learning experience, and community members are welcome to drop in and explore the stations at their own pace!

We’ll be learning about the lake from all angles! From pond-dwelling creatures and local biodiversity to water monitoring, aquatic invasive species, and the importance of freshwater stewardship!

Stop by the EKISC station to learn about aquatic invasive species, how they can impact our lakes and waterways, and the work happening locally to prevent their spread and protect our freshwater ecosystems. We’ll have interactive displays, activities, and plenty of opportunities to get curious and ask questions.

Come explore, learn something new, and see what makes McGinty Lake such an important part of our local ecosystem.

September 11
1–3 pm
@ McGinty Lake

Community members are welcome to drop in and visit the stations throughout the afternoon!

09/01/2026

Rabbit, rabbit, rabbit! It's the first of the month so you know what that means - check your inboxes! The Dispersal, EKISC's monthly e-newsletter is fresh off the presses. Missed it? Well here it is:

There’s something about summer at EKISC that always feels a little too short. The field days are long, the plants are growing faster than we can pull them, and our summer staff bring an extra burst of energy to everything we do. But as August winds down, the landscape begins to change and so does ...

08/30/2026

Pretty? Pretty invasive!

This bright blue beauty might look right at home in a garden, but Mountain bluet (Centaurea montana), also known as perennial cornflower or montane knapweed, is actually an invasive garden escapee!!

Originally introduced from Europe as a popular garden perennial, Mountain bluet can easily escape into natural areas, where it can be found in meadows, pastures, roadsides, and other disturbed open areas. It spreads by both seed and roots, making established plants difficult to control.

How to identify Mountain bluet:
- 30–80 cm tall, with fine hairs covering the stem
- Large, bright blue flowers with a ray-like appearance and a black, fringed base
- Lance-shaped leaves, 10–30 cm long, with a woolly underside
- Flowers can look a lot like knapweed, so take a closer look!

Found it? Act early. Before seed production, pulling, cutting, or mowing can be effective. If flowers are present, carefully dispose of the plants in garbage bags to prevent further seed dispersal. When pulling, remove as much of the root as possible to help prevent regrowth.

A pretty plant can still be a problem when it escapes the garden. Know what you grow, and keep an eye out for Mountain bluet in your community.

08/28/2026

Happy Field Crew Friday! We interviewed our field crew to see how their summer has been so far☀️

08/26/2026

Which invasive plant has four small white petals, smells like horseradish, and loves growing in shade? If you guessed Garlic Mustard, you are correct! It is not in the East Kootenays… Yet!

Originally brought as a medicinal and food plant in the 1800s, this invader spreads fast through seeds, and cut plants re-flower. Garlic mustard displaces beneficial vegetation and competes with native species.

If you see Garlic Mustard, make sure to report it using the Report Invasives BC app!

08/25/2026

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08/24/2026

Get to know our Education & Outreach crew a bit better!