Impede the reed project on Beausoleil Island

Georgian Bay Islands National Park

Parks Canada staff work to map, monitor and remove patches of phragmites from around Beausoleil Island. The large cut mass is then transported and stored in a location where the phragmites cannot regrow. 

 

Tall phragmites grass plants

Invasive phragmites growth along the shoreline of Beausoleil Island. Tall stems with multiple leaves are capped by a feathery seed head and are capable of growing in both standing water and on land.


 

Park staff hold a small turtle

What’s at stake? Invasive phragmites growth is the greatest ecological threat facing Georgian Bay Islands National Parks at this time. Species at Risk, like this eastern musk turtle (Sternotherus odoratus), need to be protected from the harmful effects of this plant and from human disturbance during management activities.

 

A dense stand of phragmites

How about that view? Phragmites not only impacts the wildlife on Beausoleil Island, but can also deters from its beautiful shorelines, like this patch on a campsite at Cedar Springs before it was removed.

 

A cut pile of tall grass

Phragmites stalks that are cut in the water must be collected and piled on shore or else they will re-sprout. Check out this massive pile of phragmites biomass park staff accumulated from power cutting around the Cruiser Dock.

 

A park boat on the shoreline.

Park staff preparing to remove a dense phragmites population at the Cruiser Dock by setting the floating boom.

 

A floating book around plants

Tools of the trade- At Georgian Bay Islands National Park, we use a floating curtain boom to contain cut phragmites stem pieces from spreading into new areas during removal activities.

 

Park staff measuring tall plants

Dealing with phragmites is hard work! On Beausoleil Island, phragmites stalks tower over park staff as they map the outlines of a particularly tall population.

 

A large pile of dead grass

Cut phragmites stalks need to be transported to open areas, above the water line where they can dry out.  This pile has been exposed to the sun for three months and is flipped to ensure nothing is growing.

 

A boat loaded with grass

A full load! This barge is full of cut phragmites stalks and is ready to head to the disposal site.

 

Staff in the water surrounded by phragmites

Park staff use a variety of tools to remove invasive phragmites from GBINP. This medium sized stand is about to be tackled by a gas powered cutter.


 

A large pile of grass on a boat.

A hard day’s work! Park staff on Beausoleil Island use open fronted barges to transport equipment and cut phragmites biomass after cleaning up some patches south of Treasure Bay.
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