2024 Wild Parsnip Program is anticipated to start on May 27, 2024, weather permitting. The goal is to reduce the growth of wild parsnip in highly infested areas while ensuring that environmentally sensitive areas and public safety are not adversely impacted. In total, Council has approved $298,000 for this year’s strategy.
The 2024 Wild Parsnip Strategy will allow staff to:
Continue and expand the application of Clearview and Navius FLEX herbicides to highly
- Continue and expand the application of Clearview and Navius FLEX herbicides to highly infested areas;
- Continue mowing operations, adjusting frequency and timing to best coincide with herbicide applications;
- Re-map infestation areas and levels;
- Continue the communication and awareness campaign in collaboration with partners in Ottawa Public Health (OPH), Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP), National Capital Commission (NCC), etc;
- Provide weekly updates for Councillors on roadside and parkland spraying locations within each ward;
- Prepare communication materials for Councillors to share with residents.
A full listing of the infestation levels and planned treatment locations on roadsides is attached for reference. We anticipate wild parsnip spraying in City parklands will begin June 3, 2024, weather permitting. A full list of parkland spray locations will be provided to members of Council closer to that date. Over 200 locations of parkland and approximately 1200 lane kilometers of roadsides/pathways will be treated this year. We heard from residents and Councillors that additional treatment was required and have significantly increased the number of lane kilometers to be treated this year within existing budgets.
Public Works will continue to assess the required resources and budget for spraying operations in future years. Roadside grass cutting will begin early June, and additional herbicide application may be considered again for the fall season. To notify the public of the herbicide application, a Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) approved “Notice of Herbicide Use” advertisement will appear in local newspapers one week prior to the start of spraying. However, given the large number of public access points for parks, signage will only be posted at main entrance points.
Rural residents who do not wish to have the roadside adjacent to their property sprayed have been given the option to opt-out of the Wild Parsnip Program. Should a resident opt-out of the program, it will become their responsibility to manage any wild parsnip infestation adjacent to their property, as required by the Weed Control Act, 1990. Information has been shared on how to opt out as part of the communications to residents on our website and in print materials. A copy of the letter that was sent to residents is in the attachments for your information.
For additional information on wild parsnip, please consult the City of Ottawa’s website.