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Quinte Conservation is inviting the public to learn more about Water Soldier, an invasive aquatic plant threatening local ecosystems, during an information session in Belleville on September 16.
Water Soldier, native to Europe and Northwest Asia, was once sold as an ornamental water garden plant before being banned under Ontario’s Invasive Species Act. Since then, it has spread to several Ontario waterways, including the Trent-Severn Waterway, the Black River, Red Horse Lake, Cook’s Bay, and the Bay of Quinte.
The plant harms ecosystems by forming dense mats of vegetation that create stagnant water, crowd out native plants, alter water chemistry, and pose safety risks for swimmers due to sharp serrated leaves.
The free information night will be held at Quinte Conservation’s office on Old Highway 2. Attendees will learn how to identify and report Water Soldier, prevention strategies, and volunteer opportunities. Registration is available online through Quinte Conservation
Written by Emily Chatwood
