Success Stories

Controlling Invasive Phragmites in Oliphant and the Fishing Islands

The Saugeen Peninsula Invasive Species Collaborative (SPISC) and its members have been controlling invasive Phragmites across the Saugeen Bruce Peninsula for several years. This includes extensive work at Oliphant and the Fishing Islands, led by the Oliphant Fishing Islands Phragmites Community Group (OFIPCG) since 2017. Over three hectares (7.5 acres) of invasive Phragmites was controlled in Oliphant in 2017. The control area steadily increased each year, peaking with more than 60 hectares (150 acres) controlled in 2022 alone.

Consistent efforts each year since 2017 has resulted in a significant reduction in the amount of Phragmites remaining at Oliphant and the Fishing Islands, but the job is not done yet. Following 2024 efforts where approximately 30 hectares (75 acres) of invasive Phragmites was controlled, it is estimated that 5 to 10 hectares of invasive Phragmites remains. It is imperative that control continues in this area to prevent the re-establishment of invasive Phragmites in areas previously controlled. This is of extra importance given receding water levels presenting increased potential habitat for invasive Phragmites to spread to.

As such, SPISC intends to control invasive Phragmites again in 2025 at Oliphant and the Fishing Islands. This will include the use of terrestrial herbicides, as well as the herbicide Habitat Aqua, which is used to control emergent aquatic vegetation (plants that have stiff or firm stems and grow above the water surface), including invasive Phragmites. Control of invasive Phragmites is scheduled to occur between August 15th – October 17, 2025.

Invasive Phragmites control efforts using Habitat Aqua in the Oliphant and Fishing Islands area is scheduled to occur over several days between September 2nd – September 5th, 2025. The use of Habitat Aqua is regulated by Ontario’s Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP). As part of our efforts to keep landowners informed, we are notifying all landowners who may be impacted by this work.

For up-to-date information on specific control locations using Habitat Aqua, please visit the Current Phragmites Control Page.