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Decontamination Station first of its kind in Western Canada
The East Kootenay Invasive Plant Council (EKIPC) is pleased to announce the purchase of a Mobile Boat Decontamination Station.
“June 11 to 17 has been declared Invasive Species Week in British Columbia and possible establishment of aquatic invasive species, such as zebra mussels (pictured above) and Eurasian milfoil, is one of the greatest environmental threats to fresh water in the East Kootenay,” says Marty Hafke, EKIPC Coordinator. “Aquatic invasive species are heading towards the East Kootenay from all directions and the best and often only defensc, is prevention. The Mobile Wash station will be an important tool in our educational outreach.”
EKIPC decided to take initiative and seek funding for a boat wash station as a result of identifying a major gap in B.C.’s war on aquatic invasive species, “We found out that there are multiple stations such as these deployed in Idaho and Montana and yet there were no mobile stations in B.C.,” Hafke explains.
EKIPC was able to purchase the mobile wash station with an Environmental Initiatives Program Grant from Columbia Basin Trust, under their mandate to deliver, social, economic and environmental benefits to the residents of the Columbia Basin. Teck Coal and FortisBC were supportive of EKIPC’s grant application and donated additional funds towards the Boat Wash station purchase.
“We now have the first unit of this kind in Western Canada,” notes Hafke. “We hope that this is the start of something greater and that we will soon see many of these units deployed strategically at key locations in B.C. and across Canada.”
Two other events are planned for Invasive Species Week 2012. In Cranbrook, this year’s Sam Steele Days theme is ‘A Salute to the History of Cranbrook.’ To celebrate both events, EKIPC, will be providing an opportunity for the public to view the new Mobile Boat Decontamination Station and learn how to preserve the areas ecological heritage. Everyone is invited to stop by the
Clean, Drain, Dry – Mobile Boat Decontamination Station display for information, activities and prizes on June 16 between 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the parking lot, southeast corner of Baker St. and 11th Avenue N.
As an additional part of the festivities, EKIPC will be hosting a Weed Scavenger Hunt on June 17 from 1 to 3 p.m. Children and their parents are invited to learn about invasive species, enjoy the outdoors and win prizes.
If you would like information about any of these events or about invasive species, please contact Marty Hafke, EKIPC Coodinator at 1-888-55EKIC email [email protected] or visit the website at www.ekipc.com .
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