Phragmites Fighters

Win Back Our Wild!

Phragmites australis is an invasive species of reed that arrived in Canada from Europe in the early 1920s. This reed is a vigorous grower which often out-competes native wetland species, like cattails, and reduces the habitat for all our native wetland species. In addition, they greatly alter the aesthetics of a landscape and reduce visibility by growing over 5 meters tall! Although it is "pretty" it is highly disruptive and degrades our natural ecosystems.

Learn how to identify this species and prevent it from invading your lake by becoming a Phrag Fighter!

Thank you for your interest in helping to save our aquatic biodiversity!

Phragmites is an invasive and aggressive plant that is threatening much of the aquatic biodiversity in southern Ontario...but it can be controlled.

There are two ways that you can volunteer as a Phrag Fighter:

Survey your area and report any Phragmities stands you discover
Join us in the field and to help remove Phragmities in-person. If you are interested, you can participate in both!

Teaming up to fight phragmites is fun and rewarding. We offer online tools to teach you what to do and what not to do, how to report your findings to us, and we offer ongoing support with our team.

Learn more about invasive species by reading our blogs!

Expensive Frogs

June 13, 2022

The British Columbia taxpayers have paid about $250,000 to fight the invasion of bullfrogs (Rana catesbeiana) in the Osoyoos region in southern B.C. Estimates for control programs for the entire province run into the tens of millions. Why get rid of bullfrogs? They are not native to B.C. and they are eating the young of …

Spongy Moths (LDD/Gypsy Moths) – How can we manage the invasion?

July 6, 2021

Invasive species are exotic organisms which enter a locality and then dominate/out-compete native species. Many of these invaders have been established for several decades, with the majority of us unable to even recognize them because we are accustomed to their presence. One of these species is the gypsy moth which was introduced into the United …

Phrag Fighters Help Save Lake and Wetland Habitats

February 27, 2021

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 …

What the Phrag?! All You Need to Know About Invasive Phragmites

January 28, 2021

Phragmites australis australis, otherwise known as European Common Reed or Invasive Phragmites, is a fast-spreading, perennial aquatic grass found growing in wetlands, shorelines and roadside ditches. This aggressive plant crushes biodiversity by outcompeting our native plants. In 2005, Invasive Phragmites was named Canada’s worst invasive plant species by Agriculture and Agri-food Canada. What Does It …

HIPPO- The Greatest Threat to Biodiversity

December 1, 2020

Every time a species goes extinct or is lost from a given area, global biodiversity is irreparably damaged and destabilized. Specific causes of losses to biodiversity are varied, but the predominant and severe causes of global species extinction are summarized by HIPPO. No, we are not talking about the cute but albeit huge 3500 pound …

Clogging the Lakes- Eurasian Watermilfoil

November 27, 2020

Understanding Eurasian Watermilfoil: What is it, How Did it Get Here, What are its Impacts, and What Can We Do to Prevent its Spread? What is Eurasian Watermilfoil? Eurasian Watermilfoil is an alien of sorts…but not the kind of alien that you may be thinking of! It is called an alien, or invasive species, because it …

Be Fish Friendly- Tips and Tricks for Responsible Recreational Fishing

July 14, 2020

For many of us, casting a line out on a calm lake sounds like the perfect way to spend a late summer’s evening. Avid anglers are no strangers to waking up at the crack of dawn to hop in a boat with a rod and tacklebox in hand (and maybe a morning coffee too!). Even …

Recreational Boating and the Environment – Tips and Tricks for Environmentally Conscious Boating

July 16, 2019

A day out on the boat is a good way to unwind and relax, but did you know recreational boating may have a significant impact on the marine environment around you? Recreational boating is a significant part of the Canadian economy and pastime for the nations boaters (National Marine Manufacturers Association Canada, 2019). Although an …

Ontario Burdened with Invasive Species – Tips and Tricks for Managing Invasive Species in The Land Between

July 3, 2019

Did you know Ontario has the highest amount of invasive species across Canada? Dozens of invasive species have infiltrated our lakes, rivers, and forests, putting our native species and the environment at risk. An invasive species is a plant, animal or micro-organism that is not native to a specific location and has the tendency to …

These opportunities and activities have been generously supported by:

Phragmites Fighters

Win Back Our Wild!

Thank you for your interest in helping to save our aquatic biodiversity!

Learn more about invasive species by reading our blogs!

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