Recognized PlantWise Partner Program
Many invasive plants have been introduced with the intention of adding aesthetic appeal to gardens. Although since their introduction, many have escaped cultivation and invaded our environment, threatening our native species, economy, health, and well-being. Currently, many of these plants are still being sold within the horticulture industry and continue to be planted despite their serious impacts.
What are garden invasives?
Numerous invasive species are commonly available or have been historically sold in the horticulture industry. Major pathways of invasion include selling non-native plants, hitchhiking through contaminated soil, and invasive seeds unknowingly added to seed mixes. These pathways can occur at every sale stage such as production, distribution, retail, and landscaping. Invasive species in horticulture is such an interlinked issue that it is an industry wide challenge, not just and end retailer issue.
What is the Recognized PlantWise Partner Program
The Recognized PlantWise Partner Program was created as an educational and support initiative within the horticulture industry to start to phase out the use of invasive plants. The program looks to help inform decisions surrounding plant introductions and educate gardeners about the importance of responsible plant ownership. By joining this program, plant retail and garden centers play a vital role in preventing the spread of invasive species.
What does it offer?
Being part of the recognized retailer program is the start of our national initiative to phase out the production and distribution of invasive species, not only in NB but across the country. Start by signing up below (bottom of the page), indicating what kind of organization you are a part of, whether that be a retailer, garden club, or municipality. We’ll get in touch to provide you with resources, training, and more. Your commitment to the program is to keep yourself up to date with invasive species in your area. Explore the implementation of the national voluntary code of conduct, provide information to the public and customers about invasive species and their impacts, and last but not least, be PlantWise!
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This program comes with resources that have been developed with the help of invasive species experts, botanists, horticulturists, and skilled gardeners to aid in informed decision making. Resources include our PlantWise display kits that can house our Grow Me Instead Guide (GMI Guide), invasive species factsheets, and more.
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All participants within New Brunswick have the opportunity to join the program and be featured here on our website. This promotes your organizations intent to stop the spread of invasive species and protect our native ecosystems!
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Being part of the program gains you access to personalized invasive species training presented by NBISC. This information is to help educate you and the public on invasive species in horticulture, how they got here, and what the next steps are moving forward.
Recognized Partners in New Brunswick!
Take The Next Step
Join The Team
Participating partners will be provided…
Be PlantWise
Get Involved!
PlantWise Display Kits
Recognized Partners will receive a PlantWise display kit to advertise at their location. This will include GMI Guides, PlantWise informational handouts, PlantWise stickers, and more!
PlantWise’s Most Wanted
These garden escapees are some of New Brunswick’s most aggressive invasive plants. These species out grow their enclosures and threaten native ecosystems.
Jack Ranney, University of Tennessee, Bugwood.org
Japanese Knotweed (Reynoutria japonica)
Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut
Goutweed (Aegopodium podagraria L.)
Chris Evans, University of Illinois, Bugwood.org
Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)
Resources
Grow Me Instead Guide
Grow Me Instead is a component of the Plant Wise program that focuses on increasing awareness about invasive horticultural plants and providing native alternatives.
Invasive Plant Factsheets
Curious to know what invaders are hiding in your gardens? We have many invasive plant fact sheets to help you identify and manage many of New Brunswick’s invasive plant species.
Best Management Practices
NBISC’s Best Management Practices (BMPs) clearly outline the effect key invasive species have on the environment and surrounding ecosystems.
National Voluntary Code of Conduct
Looking to get further involved? Embrace the National Voluntary Code of Conduct for the Ornamental Horticulture Industry. This Code of Conduct outlines the guidelines for individuals and organizations who are involved in landscape management in Canada. This includes all aspects, such as retail sales, landscaping companies, and garden enthusiasts. It provides guidelines and best practices for preventing, detecting, and controlling invasive species in the Canadian landscape. This resource was developed by the National Horticulture Invasive Plant Working Group (led by the Canadian Council on Invasive Species in partnership with the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects (CSLA), the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA), and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). This Code of Conduct is voluntary, therefore it is not monitored or enforced, but rather, establishes key actions to help prevent the introduction, spread, establishment, and impact of invasive species.
Let’s Work Together
Become a Recognized Partner today!