Invasive Phragmites is a large grass-like plant that is taking over Ontario’s wetlands and reducing biodiversity. The plant colonizes ditches, bays and wetland pockets. It grows in such thick mats that turtles, frogs, and other animals cannot move through their native habitats. The plant is also tall, and blocks sight lines along roadsides. In the spring Phrag Fighters locate areas where the plant is growing and harming local habitats. Then, as are part of a team of 3-4 people, Phrag Fighter teams adopt one or two wetland areas where they are responsible for removing the invasive plant using best practices (so that the seeds don’t spread). Phrag Fighter teams go out between one and three times each summer between June and early August to spade the plants, bag them in dark bags, and transport them to locations or landfills to be deposited.
We offer Phrag Fighter workshops to help train volunteers, who are important defenders of these vital habitats: The first workshops teach Phrag Fighers how to identify the plants, record locations of the plants in EDDMaps. The second teaches how to remove the plants using the best practices which help to stop the spread of the plant. Phrag Fighting is hard work but also fun and rewarding!
Join individually or as part of a Phrag Fighter team- Join a Phrag Fighers here
Sign up for a workshop. See our events pages for details.
What the Frag?! All You Need to Know About Invasive Phragmites
Leave a Reply