Invasive Plants

Invasive Phragmites Management | August–October 2024

From August through October 2024, City staff are managing and removing Phragmites in select stormwater management ponds and ditches throughout the city, with a focus on the Bear Creek watershed. This work is done through foliar spraying, mechanical mowing, and selective cutting/removal.

Invasive Phragmites cause damage to Ontario's biodiversity, wetlands and beaches. The perennial grass was transported to North America from its native home in Eurasia. The aggressive plant spreads quickly and out-competes native species for water and nutrients. Learn more about Phragmites and other invasive plants below. 

An invasive species is a non-native organism introduced by human activity that has no natural checks and balances and that aggressively out-competes native organisms for living space on the landscape.

The spread of these plants, animals and microorganisms cause harm to the ecosystem, economy, society, and potentially human health. Invasive species impact the biodiversity of our landscape and can heavily impair existing plant and animal communities. They can be difficult and expensive to remove, and often invasive species can never be completely eradicated. That is why it is critical to properly identify new introductions and be on the lookout for new invasive species before they get established.

Choose beautiful alternatives for your garden by planting non-invasive plants. Download the Ontario’s Invasive Plant Councils’ Grow Me Instead brochure.

Take the Pledge!

Each person can make a difference in preventing new invasive plant species and stopping the spread of existing ones. People across North America are joining together to protect the places we love by taking the PlayCleanGo Pledge.

How they Spread

Pathways is the term used to describe entry points and methods of how invasive species are introduced into new areas. Natural pathways include wind, water movement and animal dispersal. Man-made pathways are how most invasive species are spread in our City parks, trails, and natural areas:

  • Spreading seeds from one trail to another by your boots, animal paws or wheels. 
  • Straying-off of marked trails and pathways in woodlots. 
  • Dumping plant waste into our natural areas and forests. 
  • Planting invasive species into gardens or natural landscape. 
  • Moving firewood from one location to another.

Please avoid the above activities to help control the spread of invasive plants and insects.

What to Look For

The top five invasive terrestrial plant species to be on the lookout for in Barrie:

How to Report a Sighting

If you think you've spotted an invasive species, please take photos and report appropriately:

  • If you have found the species on City property, please email photos and location details to ServiceBarrie@barrie.ca. As outlined in the City's Climate Change Adaption Strategy, ​reporting the location and species helps develop an abundance map, prioritize future partnership and volunteer activities, and create a future Invasive Species strategy with associated resources to address.​​ This will help the City develop partnerships and funding strategies to control invasive species. 
  • If you have found the species on your own property, please report on EDDMaps Ontario.