The beautiful nature at Lac Sam is a delicate balance of biodiversity that we humans have yet to fully understand.\u00a0 What happens when this balance is disrupted, or invaded by alien species? What can we do to protect Lac Sam from nasty invaders? Prevention, fellow cottagers, is the best defence.\u00a0 Here\u2019s how\u2026.<\/p>\n
What\u2019s an Invasive Species?<\/strong><\/p>\n Environment Canada explains that an invasive species is a species that comes from another part of the world and \u201ccauses significant ecological, economical and environmental damage\u201d. \u00a0Like human invaders, these alien species:<\/p>\n Think Eurasian milfoil, toxic blue green algae, Asian carp, wild parsnip and emerald ash borer \u2013 that\u2019s just the tip of the iceberg.<\/p>\n Once they arrive, it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, and expensive to get rid of them. <\/em><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n The Damage They Do\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n Is far-reaching.\u00a0 Not only is the native biodiversity forever disrupted, including the complete loss of some native species, we humans are affected too.\u00a0 Some invasive species, toxic blue algae, wild parsnip and giant hogweed, are toxic and harmful. Others change our landscapes; the emerald ash borer is decimating the native ash trees in our forests. And in our \u2018lakescapes\u2019 Eurasian milfoil is blanketing shallow lake beds making it a nasty experience for swimming, fishing, and boating.<\/p>\n Our lake enjoyment is reduced and so too perhaps is our property value!\u00a0 <\/em><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n What Can We Do?<\/strong><\/p>\n As much as we can to prevent the species from arriving in the first place! \u00a0\u00a0Most invasive species hitch a ride to their new conquest. On watercraft, boat trailers, in firewood, in transplanted plants and soil, your fishing gear and bait, and even on your clothes, alien plant seeds and parts, bugs and fish can find their way to Lac Sam.<\/p>\n Snuff out these invasive hitch-hikers!<\/strong><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Here are a few tips to help prevent to spread of invasive species:<\/p>\n\n