Introducing the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Invasive Plant Committee

What is the CCCIPC?

The Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Invasive Plant Committee (CCCIPC) is a multi-stakeholder organization with broad membership open to anyone in the Cariboo-Chilcotin and Central Coast regions with an interest in, or responsibility to manage, invasive plants. The CCCIPC was formed in November 2006 and is open, inclusive, and operates by consensus. It was incorporated as a non-profit society in November 2007.

Its purposes are:

1. to educate the public, government agencies, and other land managers about invasive plants and their impacts in the area, that results in the prevention of further introduction and spread of invasive plants; and
2. to promote and assist in coordinated and collaborative management of invasive plants between agencies and land occupiers on private and public land.

Where does the CCCIPC exist?

We cover the areas of the Cariboo Regional District and the Central Coast Regional District of British Columbia. This is an area of 10.8 million hectares, or 11% of the province of British Columbia. The ecosystems are diverse: from wet coastal rainforests to dry arid grasslands.

What does the CCCIPC do?

Coordinate the invasive plant management efforts of government agencies, individuals, communities and industry sectors in the region; and promote awareness and education about invasive plants, especially amongst those who are part of the problem and don't even know it.

Who is the CCCIPC?

The membership consists of over 200 individuals, First Nations, government agencies, non-profit organizations and corporations that have an interest in managing invasive plants in the region.

The board of directors has representation from government (federal, provincial and local), industry sectors (forestry, mining, agriculture, transportation and utilities), First Nations, research, environmental non-governmental organizations, and the public.
Our current board:

• Emily Sonntag, Chair (Cariboo Regional District)
• Geneve Jasper, Vice Chair (provincial government - Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, Williams Lake)
• Guy Burdikin, Treasurer (forest industry - West Fraser Mills, Williams Lake)
• Harry Jennings (provincial government - Min. of Forests and Range, Williams Lake)
• Steve Harkies, Treasurer (recreation/tourism – Williams Lake)
• Tracy Bond (other local government - representing City of Quesnel)
• Brenda McFetridge (public / member-at-large - retired)
• Peter Shaughnessy (conservation - Nature Conservancy of Canada)
• Percy Folkard (provincial government - Ministry of Forests and Range, Kamloops)
• Angela Knopp (federal government - Department of National Defense)
• Ray Coupe (provincial government - Ministry of Environment, Williams Lake)
• Christina Mecham (Central Coast Regional District)
• Kristeva Dowling (Central Coast Regional District)
• Cathy Koot (research - University of British Columbia Alex Fraser Research Forest)
• Steve O'Hara (mining industry - Taseko Mines)
• Teena Sellars (First Nations - Shuswap)
• Bob Godfrey (agriculture - rancher)
• Dan Tisseur (utilities – Spectra Energy, Prince George)
• Daniel Hutchins (transportation – Interior Roads Ltd., Williams Lake)
• Carrier First Nation – Empty Seat
• Nuxalk First Nation – Empty Seat

How do I report invasive plants in the region?

Call the Cariboo Regional District at 1-800-665-1636, or report a weed online (link coming soon on the IAPP page).

What are invasive plants? Invasive plants are non-native plants that have been introduced to BC that have detrimental economic, environmental and health affects on humans, livestock and wildlife. Also known as noxious weeds, or alien species, they are far more aggressive than other common garden or lawn weeds. Economic impacts of invasive plants include reduced forage quality and quantity for cattle ranchers, as many invasive plants are unpalatable to livestock. Invasive plants are the second largest threat to biodiversity in the world, due to their ability to out-compete native plants; this threatens habitat for wildlife as native plants are displaced. Common invasive plants in our region include spotted knapweed, diffuse knapweed, oxeye daisy and orange hawkweed. Recent invaders include field scabious, sulphur cinquefoil and marsh plume thistle. One of the most significant ways that invasive plants are spread are through human activities. Cars and trucks on the highway, all-terrain vehicles and mountain bikes on trail systems, and industrial activities such as logging and gravel extraction can transport and unknowingly disperse weed seeds to new areas. Many invasive plants are garden ornamentals that escape from gardens and invade natural areas.

Spotted Knapweed Orange Hawkweed Marsh Plume Thistle

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Marsh Plume Thistle

RESOURCES PAGE

CARIBOO CHILCOTIN COAST INVASIVE PLANT COMMITTEE
104-197 Second Ave. N., Williams Lake, BC V2G 1Z5
Phone: 250-392-1400  •  Fax: 250-305-1004  •  e-mail:  info(at)cccipc.ca