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Invasive Species

A poem written on a rock, taken in Hawthorne Park facing North.

Hawthorne Park contains many different plants and animals. However, a number of these animals and plants are invasive and are harmful to the environment. Some invasive species are seasonal are others are year-round. A list of Hawthorne Park’s invasive species are listed below.

Eastern Grey Squirrel

The Eastern Grey Squirrel may seem to be a harmless animal, but it has a strong impact on an ecosystem. They are a highly invasive species and can be found throughout British Columbia, including Hawthorne Park. They compete with native squirrels for food and habitat, which results in the native squirrels becoming threatened or endangered. To some they are also considered as a household pest because they can make nests in buildings, destroying electrical wiring and woodwork. They were first brought to Canada in 1914 when eight of the squirrels were released into Stanley Park, Vancouver . Since then, they have been repopulating and have spread into other areas of British Columbia. To avoid predators, they prefer an ongoing forest canopy so that they can travel and forage mainly in the trees, rather than on the ground.

Periwinkle

Periwinkle plant in Hawthorne Park, taken facing South-East.

Periwinkle is a plant from the ‘’Apocynaceae’’ family. Periwinkle is considered invasive to Hawthorne Park because it is grows exceedingly fast, and takes up space that native plants need.

They are usually found in forests, along streams or road sides and produce flowers in March and April. Periwinkle comes in different variations of colour. The flower’s colour can be either blue or violet. The leaves are about 2 - 3cm long and the colour of the leaves and stem are dark green. Periwinkle was brought to North America, originally came from Europe.

Stinging Nettle

The stinging nettle is a plant from the ‘’Urticaceae’’ family. They are widely invasive and copulate quickly. The Stinging Nettle is usually quite easy to identify, being comprised of a tall weed with spikes on the end of each of its leaves.Upon human or animals contact with the spikes,a stinging sensation is caused. This sensation leads to a rash with visible bumps. Aside from the harmful rash, the stinging nettle can be used as a medicinal herb to treat several medical problems. Insects and animals have also been known to eat the roots of the Stinging Nettle despite the sting. The Stinging Nettle generally grows in large patches and altogether takes up a significant amount of space.

Himalayan Blackberry

Himalayan Blackberry flowers, taken in Hawthorne Park, facing South-East.

The Himalayan Blackberry provides food for many animals in Hawthorne Park. However, the blackberry is a widely known invasive species that takes up quite a lot of space and strangles, or suffocates plants underneath or around it. It can also prevent trees from getting sunlight and water. For humans, the blackberry can limit a path when it overgrows. This makes it harder for humans and or animals to pass considering the fact that the stems of the plant are covered in large thorns. Dead stems and leaves could also pile up and obstruct a walkway or trail.

House Sparrow

The house sparrow is a small beautiful bird, but it is also a fierce competitor to the ecosystem. This bird, as any other, spends its time for survival, killing and hunting other bird’s nests and eggs. It competes against other native birds for food and homes, pushing the native animals out their habitat, which most likely leads to death. House sparrows were brought to British Columbia in 1898, and later on they migrated to Hawthorne Park. To the naked eye this bird may be hard to spot considering its small and beige coloured body, but is most commonly located in cedar trees.

English Holly

Holly leaves in Hawthorne Park, taken facing South.

Visually appealing for its glossy leaves and bright red berries, English Holly is popular plant amongst gardeners. It grows well, regardless of shade or sun.However English Holly consumes a lot of water, growing fast, and taking up a lot of space, causing problems to native species. It also produces red berries, which are poisonous to humans and many animals, but edible to birds.

English Ivy

Identified by its green color, and habit to climb up tall trees and buildings. English Ivy is both good and bad. This plant attracts bees, and butterflies, its berries offer food for birds and other animals. However, English Ivy is evergreen and grows very quickly. It climbs onto trees and ‘’“strangles”’’ them, depriving them of new growth.

Morning Glory

Appears to be a harmless flower, but the Morning Glory can grow out of control and breach the “personal space” of other plants. Its effects and habit are similar to the English Ivy, however this plant isn't all cons, it's fragrant scent attracts butterflies and bees. The Morning Glory’s appearance is also considered attractive to humans. When you walk through Hawthorne Park you might not see Morning Glory. This is because Morning Glory is a seasonal plant. This particular flower is normally seen in the summer and in the fall. It is rarely seen in the spring, unlike most plants, and in the the winter, typical of seasonal vegetation.

Scotch Broom

Scotch Broom is from the ‘’Fabaceae’’ family. It grows fast and competes with native species for sunlight, water, and nutrients. Scotch Broom reproduces very fast and its seeds travel farther with human interaction by clinging to their clothes or cars. Its large size and thickness makes it difficult for large animals to pass-through them. There opaque thickets can also increase the chance of wildfires.

Domestic Pets

A dog in Hawthorne Park, taken in Hawthorne park facing West.

House pets are domesticated, but they are still capable of interacting both positively and negatively to the animals in the environment, such a small mammals or amphibians. Small pets like cats and small birds can also face the chance of being killed. In addition, dog feces also contains a lot of nitrites, and nitrates, so when it rains, the nitrate and nitrite infested waters feeds the algae, leading to eutrophication. Walking a pet in the park can also scare native species, or the pet can trample across growing plants or homes of organisms.

The Removal of Invasive Species.

It is never easy to remove or repair the damage an invasive species has done. A way to safely remove or improve the situation, is to capture and then relocate the invasive species. If such a method is unable to be used, then culling may be implemented. This happens to both animals and plants. The best way to control invasive species is to remove the problem before it starts.

There are many organizations that are dedicated to removing species in Surrey Parks. Two of these organizations are the Invasive Species Council of British Columbia ( ISCBC ) , and the City of Surrey - Vegetation Management Strategy.