Invasive Plant Control Committee

Invasive Plant Species

Invasive plants (also known as noxious weeds) are typically non-native species that have been introduced to Hornby Island. All plants are native somewhere but outside their region of natural occurrence, they lack the competitors, predators and pathogens that check spread. Those plants that are highly adaptive with rapid and multiple methods of reproduction can exploit disturbed sites and alter habitats to out-compete local vegetation for resources and space.

Located within the Coastal Douglas-fir (CDF) Biogeoclimatic Zone, BC’s smallest, rarest, and most at-risk ecological zone with remnants of Garry oak ecosystem, Hornby Island is highly vulnerable to invasive species due to the small size, fragmentation and development.

Invasive Plant Control

On the upside, Hornby’s small size allows for positive impacts from ongoing monitoring and control of invasive plant species. The Invasive Plant Control Committee receives funding from the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) to assist in reducing the spread of legally designated invasive plant species. Visit the CVRD Invasive Plant FAQ website for information about regulations and requirements for removal. Due to changing conditions, the list of invasive plant species and plants of concern is growing. Visit the flip book, Invasive Plant Control on Hornby to find out about Best Management Practices for their control and disposal.

Developed for landowners, the brochure Hornby Island Invasive Plant Alert provides contact information: for help with removal.