The Ontario Phragmites Action program provided a $2500 grant to Crescent Harbour Association towards our project for this year and an invitation to apply again next year for Phase 2.
On October 21, Restoration Artists Inc. will be spraying the phragmites. This is step one of this year’s work. Within a few weeks, the phragmites will be cut down. We will repeat this next year before we begin to rehabilitate the land, ideally turning it back into a beautiful wetland of trees, shrubs, and flowers.
This initiative, supported by the Invasive Phragmites Control Fund, is part of increased invasive species action by community groups, Indigenous organizations, and municipalities across Ontario. (see more in this article)
Besides the phragmites making the property inaccessible, and impinging on the tennis courts, here is why we should care about this invasive species.
“Phragmites, also known as the European common reed, is one of the most aggressive invasive plants in Canada. It rapidly spreads and forms dense stands, outcompeting native vegetation, altering habitats, and impacting biodiversity. Phragmites disrupt wetlands, reduces habitat for wildlife, and impedes drainage in agricultural lands, leading to significant ecological and economic consequences. Managing and controlling Phragmites is crucial for preserving natural ecosystems and supporting the well-being of communities in Ontario.”
A big thanks to Invasive Phragmites Control Fund and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.
Crescent Harbour Association 
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