The Communications & Engagement Program works alongside field operations to prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species by building awareness, strengthening partnerships, and supporting coordinated action across the region.
Through public education, community engagement, youth programming, training, and collaboration with regional partners, Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society helps people recognize invasive species, understand their impacts, and take practical steps to reduce spread. This program ensures that field efforts are supported by informed communities, engaged land managers, and strong regional networks.
This work is guided by Strategic Direction 1: Collaborate, coordinate, and engage a network of regional partners in invasive species programs.
What We Do
CSISS delivers outreach and engagement activities that directly support invasive species prevention and management across the Columbia Shuswap. Our work focuses on three connected areas:
Collaborating with Land Managers and Regional Partners
We work closely with land managers, Indigenous communities, local governments, industry, stewardship groups, and regional organizations to improve coordination and information sharing.This includes:
- Supporting land manager coordination and collaborative planning
- Sharing technical information and best practices
- Providing research support and knowledge transfer
- Maintaining a central point of contact for invasive species in the region
- Building partnerships that align education with field priorities
By strengthening these relationships, CSISS helps ensure consistent approaches to invasive species management across jurisdictions.
Engaging Communities and Pathways of Spread
Public engagement is essential to preventing new introductions and slowing the spread of invasive species. CSISS connects with residents, visitors, and recreationists through accessible, action-oriented education that focuses on everyday pathways of spread. Our outreach includes:
- Public events, workshops, and community presentations
- Targeted education for trail users, boaters, gardeners, pet owners, and firewood users
- Development of educational resources, signage, and digital content
- Promotion of reporting tools and identification resources
- Community engagement at markets, festivals, and local gatherings
These efforts encourage behaviour change and empower people to take simple, effective actions that protect local ecosystems.
Training and Capacity Building for Key Audiences
CSISS provides training and practical guidance to professional groups and industries that may unintentionally contribute to invasive species spread, including horticulture, forestry, agriculture, marinas, road maintenance, and local government.We support these audiences through:
- Workshops and presentations
- Best management practices and operational guidance
- Species identification support
- Reporting and monitoring education
This work strengthens early detection and improves on-the-ground management by building local capacity.
Youth Engagement and Education
Youth engagement is a key part of building long-term stewardship. CSISS works with schools, educators, and youth programs to deliver hands-on learning opportunities that introduce young people to invasive species, ecosystem health, and environmental responsibility.
These programs help foster curiosity, awareness, and care for local landscapes.
Throughout the region we support several behavior change initaitives:
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PlantWise is a consumer and industry education program designed to build an understanding of the problems caused by invasive species, increasing demand for non-invasive plants, and to support the horticulture industry’s transition to becoming free of invasive species. |
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Don’t Let it Loose Water gardeners, aquarium and terrarium owners can select from a variety of aquatic plants, invertebrates, reptiles and fish. Unfortunately, some of these exotic species have the potential to become invasive. Pets that become too much for an owner to care for are sometimes let loose into nearby water or woods — Don’t Let it Loose! |
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Play Clean Go is an education and outreach campaign for outdoor recreationists that encourages outdoor recreation while protecting our valuable natural resources. The objective is to slow or stop the spread of terrestrial invasive species through changes in our behaviour. PlayCleanGo is designed to foster actions that interrupt recreational pathways of spread for invasive species. |
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Clean Drain Dry encourages watercraft users to ‘clean drain dry’ all boats and equipment to help reduce the spread of invasive plants and organisms to BC waters. Boats and other watercraft, including kayaks and canoes, easily and frequently carry invasive species from one body of water to another. These aquatic invaders are entering BC’s beautiful lakes, streams, and wetlands. Boaters, anglers and paddlers can all take action now to help stop the spread by practicing Clean Drain Dry. |
Buy Local, Burn Local promotes the protection of forests by preventing the accidental spread of invasive species that may be transported in firewood. BC’s forests are threatened by non-native insects that can damage large numbers of trees, and new infestations of harmful insects and diseases are often first found in campgrounds and parks.
