Invasive Species Management

What are invasive species?

Invasive species are non-native species that are introduced to a new geographic area and establish, survive, and cause environmental, economic or social impacts. Severity of invasion and impacts of an invasive species will vary depending on biological characteristics of the species, environmental conditions, spread and amount of disturbance in the area.

To learn more about the impacts of invasive species (including plants, animals, insects, and pathogens) visit the following resources:

 How do invasive species spread?
Invasive species can spread naturally through wind, water, or by attaching to animals, but human activity accelerates their spread. Common pathways include:
  • Trail use
  • Moving firewood
  • Gardening and horticulture practices
  • Releasing pets or escapees
  • Online purchasing and e-commerce
  • Boating and fishing

 
For more information on invasive species pathways visit:

 

What is the Town doing?

The Town's invasive species program currently has several active management and monitoring projects.

Caledon Trailway invasive species management
Collaborating with Conservation Authorities

Since 2023, the Town of Caledon has partnered with Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) and Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) to inventory and manage priority invasive plant species along the Caledon Trailway. This collaboration supports the Town’s Community Climate Change Action Plan (2021) by enhancing the invasive species inventory and informing targeted management actions.

On-the-ground control efforts have continued through this partnership. In 2024 and 2025, these efforts were expanded with funding from the Invasive Species Action Fund (ISAF), provided by the Invasive Species Centre. This support enabled increased mechanical and chemical control along the Trailway within both the CVC and TRCA watershed boundaries.

Prioritized invasive species for management:


Woody invasive plants have also been selected for management along the Trailway adjacent to CVC and TRCA properties to complement existing management efforts. An area of 6.5 hectares (65,000m2) has been selected for management and may include control of:

 

  

Where are treatments occurring?

Due to the extensive spread of dog strangling vine, many segments of the Trailway have been selected for management. Areas to be controlled run adjacent to the trail, but the trail will not be directly treated. 

Pesticide warning signs will be posted at the gates and along the work areas of active treatment areas a minimum of 24 hours before treatments occur. To limit potential exposure, trail users and pets must stay on trail when these signs are present. 

 

Other invasive plant management on the Trailway 

The Town’s invasive species program has also initiated the physical removal (hand pulling or digging) of Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata) and Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) in select areas of the trailway. Town staff may be seen working in these locations throughout the spring and summer months. 

Check your shoes - boot brush stations
Have you seen one of our boot brush stations?

We’ve installed three along the Caledon Trailway.
By brushing off seeds and other plant material, these stations help to reduce the spread of invasive plants on the Trailway, and along other trails found in Caledon. No station available? Make sure to scan and check for plant material on your shoes and clothing before entering and exiting the Trailway. 

 

Boot brush station

Noxious weed management

A noxious weed is a plant species that has been designated under the Weeds Control Act. To obtain this designation the plant is defined as difficult to manage and impacts agriculture, negatively impacts the health and well-being of livestock, or poses a risk to health and well-being of people.

Note: Noxious weeds can include invasive, non-native, and native vegetation.

The Town is actively managing noxious weeds that are poisonous to touch in several Town-owned locations. Using both mechanical and chemical management approaches targeted noxious weeds include:

  Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum: Invasive & Noxious)

Wild Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa: Invasive & Noxious)

Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans: Native & Noxious)

 

If you think you have found a noxious weed, report it to Service Caledon at 3-1-1 or email info@caledon.ca

Invasive species in infrastructure

The Town prioritizes the inventory and management of invasive plants that directly impact public works property or public health and safety. This includes targeting invasive plant species growing within transportation and stormwater management infrastructure.


Invasive plants for management in these settings include but are not limited to: 

The Town follows an integrated pest management (IPM) approach in the management of all invasive species. This includes incorporating various mechanical, chemical, and cultural techniques over multiple management years. 

Town of Caledon's invasive species program in the media

What can you do?

Together, we can stop the spread.

Prevent the spread of invasive species

  • Clean your shoes, pets and gear before arriving or leaving a natural space/trail

  • Use boot brush stations like the ones on the Caledon Trailway when possible

  • Stay on designated trails and keep pets on leash

  • DO NOT move firewood. Purchase it within 15km of where you plan to burn it

  • Purchase native plants for gardens or aquatic landscapes

  • Dispose of invasive plants in black thick garbage bags and let sit in the sun for about a week before disposing

  • DO NOT dump garden waste in natural areas or compost invasive plants

  • DO NOT let aquarium plants or pets loose into natural areas

  • Ensure you are purchasing aquarium pets or plants from reputable retailers

  • Learn how to Clean, Drain and Dry your boat and fishing gear

  • Report invasive species on mapping tools like EDDMaps or iNaturalist

 

Learn more about invasive species
Invasive plants

 

Invasive pests and pathogens

Invasive Species Fact Sheets and Management Guides

 

Invasive species on your property 

Check out our Trees and Yards page for more information on invasive plants and pests that threaten the health and biodiversity of your trees and property.