What you can do to help stop the spread of invaders!

To reduce the risk of Cape Breton ecosystems being invaded by foreign organisms we need your help! Some of the alien invaders featured throughout Project U.F.O. are already established; however, you can help slow or stop their spread to other regional systems. For those invaders who are not already here, you can help prevent their introduction. Below are some tips and guidelines to prevent the introduction and spread of alien organisms when participating in various activities:

Recreational Activities
 

• Do not transport organisms, even between local areas
• Be careful which plants/animals you place in gardens and ponds, local species are the best choice
• Beware of items being shipped and received, they may contain alien hitchhikers
• Be aware of which aliens might pose the greatest threat and their methods of introduction

Boating, Fishing and Aquaculture

• Inspect boats, trailers, and gear when removing a boat from a body of water and remove any visible plants, organisms or debris
• Let boats and gear air dry for at least five days before entering another body of water or rinse boat with hot water/spray with high pressure water
• Drain any water onboard your vessel before leaving the site the water came from
• Do not use live bait unless using a local source
• At the end of your fishing trip, do not release live bait; empty your bait bucket on land or freeze for later use
• Avoid introductions during aquaculture, again local species are the best choice

Travelling

• Do not transport organisms from one area to another (unless permission is obtained)
• Avoid accidently transporting organisms such as in your luggage, on vehicles or attached to clothing
• Wash your vehicle when leaving an area if you are doing long-distance travelling or a large amount of debris is attached

 

Aquarium Hobbyists

• Do not release aquarium pets into the wild
• Do not transport native species for aquarium use elsewhere
• Make sure exotic plants are not introduced into the environment

Gardening

• Learn about native plants and use them for gardening or landscaping; native species are better suited to the local environment and will require less water and maintenance
• Check your property regularly for invasive plants and remove them before they become established
• Rinse grass cuttings and soils from your lawnmower or gardening tools before taking them to other locations, such as your summer cottage, to prevent spreading seeds or roots
• Be careful that the aquatic or terrestrial plants you purchase for your outdoor pond or garden are not invasive species
• Dispose of invasive plants by burning them (if and when permitted - check with our Department of Natural Resources about burning permits: (902) 563-3370)

Become a Volunteer for Project U.F.O.

If you would like to learn more about the alien invaders that threaten our ecosystems while having fun and giving some of your time for a great cause, please consider volunteering for our Aliens on the Beach Survey or the Sea Squirt Survey.

Additional websites of interest

Help Stop the Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species - a printable brochure from the Nova Scotia Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture Aquatic Invasive Species: Don't give a ride to intruders! - an informative brochure from Quebec's Lakes and Watercourses Invasive Species Campaign

If you have additional prevention tips or queries, we'd like to hear from you. Please contact us at info@ProjectUFO.ca.