Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen approves push for crackdown on 10 invasive species

Published 12:10 pm Saturday, January 10, 2026

The Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen will be pushing for a provincial crackdown on several invasive species.

The board of directors were unanimous in supporting the request from the Okanagan and Similkameen Invasive Species Society (OASISS) to put the following 10 species to Schedule A status under provincial weed control legislation:

• Tree of Heaven – Ailanthus altissima

• Siberian Elm – Ulmus pumila

• Russian Olive – Elaeagnus angustifolia

• Black Locust – Robinia pseudoacacia

• Fuller’s (common) Teasel – Dispacus fullonum

• Common Bugloss – Anchusa officinalis

• Himalayan Balsam – Impatiens glandulifera

• Black Henbane – Hyoscyamus niger

• Scotch Thistle – Onopordum acanthium

• Myrtle Spurge – Euphorbia myrsinites

Director Isaac Gilbert asked why several other species, such as burdock and the yellow flag iris, aren’t on the list and was infomred that they are already listed as provincially or regionally noxious species.

OASISS is currently working with the South Okanagan Conservation Fund on a three-year invasive tree removal project.

In addition to conducting pilot removal projects in the West Bench area, the RDOS is working on educational material for residents, such as when best to remove and safely dispose of invasive species to reduce the risk of spreading them.

The main benefit, for the RDOS, of having the species added to the Schedule A list would allow for the use of regional funding to remove them from RDOS land, and to use bylaws such as for untidy or unsightly properties to force removal on private property as well.

The Central and North Okanagan Regional Districts have their own lists of invasive species and regulations for dealing with them.