Did You Know?
Hiking and biking along recreational trails can be a lot of fun, but also has the potential to spread invasive plants and their seeds. Studies have shown that trails act as a pathway for spread of invasive plant species. Invasive plant seeds can cling to clothing, boots, pets, and vehicles like mountain bikes and be spread along trails. Also, going off trail can create disturbances which can create places for invasive plants to become established.
What You Can Do
- Learn to identify invasive species that are a threat to Ontario.
- When hiking, prevent the spread of invasive plants by staying on trails and keeping pets on a leash.
- Check all of your hiking gear at the end of your outing for plants and mud that might be carrying invasive plant seeds.
- If you think you’ve seen an invasive species in the wild, please contact the Invading Species Hotline at 1-800-563-7711 or visit www.EDDMapS.org to report a sighting.
OFAH/OMNRF Invading Species Awareness Program. (2021). Pathways – Trail Use. Retrieved from: www.invadingspecies.com.
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