The 2024 Wild Parsnip Program is anticipated to start on May 27, 2024, weather permitting.
The goal is to reduce the growth of wild parsnip in highly infested areas (see the map below) while ensuring that environmentally sensitive areas and public safety are not adversely impacted. In total, Council has approved $298,000 for this year’s strategy.
The 2024 Wild Parsnip Strategy will allow staff to:
Continue and expand the application of Clearview and Navius FLEX herbicides to highly infested areas;
Continue mowing operations, adjusting frequency and timing to best coincide with herbicide applications;
Re-map infestation areas and levels;
Continue the communication and awareness campaign in collaboration with partners in Ottawa Public Health (OPH), Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP), National Capital Commission (NCC), etc;
Provide weekly updates for Councillors on roadside and parkland spraying locations within each ward;
We anticipate wild parsnip spraying in City parklands will begin June 3, 2024, weather permitting. Over 200 locations of parkland and approximately 1200 lane kilometers of roadsides/pathways will be treated this year.
We heard from residents that additional treatment was required and have significantly increased the number of lane kilometers to be treated this year within existing budgets. Public Works will continue to assess the required resources and budget for spraying operations in future years.
Roadside grass cutting will begin early June, and additional herbicide application may be considered again for the fall season. To notify the public of the herbicide application, a Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) approved “Notice of Herbicide Use” advertisement will appear in local newspapers one week prior to the start of spraying. However, given the large number of public access points for parks, signage will only be posted at main entrance points.
