Fight to protect Nicola Valley ranchers from invasive species gets funding boost

Mar 19, 2017 | 12:54 PM

MERRITT, B.C. — The B.C government is investing more than $2 million towards a pilot project aimed at combatting invasive plants in the Thompson-Nicola Region.

The three-year project led by Fraser-Nicola MLA Jackie Tegart, is primarily aimed to help the ranching community, with many ranches falling victim to knapweed, an invasive species prevalent in grassland regions.

“Ranching is an important economic driver in the Thompson-Nicola, and invasive plants are a major threat to ranching viability,” said Tegart.

The B.C Cattlemen’s Association, the Thompson-Nicola Regional District and the Southern Interior Weed Management Committee are also involved in the project.