Many invasive plants were intentionally introduced for their aesthetic appeal in gardens, but have since escaped cultivation and become invasive, threatening our environment, economy, health, and well-being. However, many of these plants are still being sold commercially and continue to be planted despite their serious impacts.
ISCBC has partnered with an incredible group of plant retail and garden centres across BC to launch the new PlantWise Recognized Retailer program, an educational and support initiative for the horticulture industry. Developed in collaboration with invasive species experts and industry professionals, this program aims to raise awareness among garden retailers and plant enthusiasts about the impacts of invasive species and the importance of responsible plant ownership. It includes an engaging eLearning course, comprehensive resources for staff and customers, ongoing support from ISCBC, and a recognition component to acknowledge participating retailers. By joining this program, plant retail and garden centres play a vital role in preventing the spread of invasive species.
Voluntary Code of Conduct
We invite you to review and embrace this National Voluntary Code of Conduct for the Ornamental Horticulture Industry! This Code of Conduct is designed for individuals and organizations involved in landscape management in Canada, including the retail sales sector. It provides guidelines and best practices for preventing, detecting, and controlling invasive species in the Canadian landscape. and was developed by the National Horticulture Invasive Plant Working Group (led by the Canadian Council on Invasive Species in partnership with the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects (CSLA), the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA), and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). This Code of Conduct is voluntary – it is not monitored or enforced, but rather, establishes key actions to help prevent the introduction, spread, establishment and impact of invasive species.
To learn how to implement the voluntary code of conduct into your business, refer to the PlantWise Recognized Retailer Implementation Plan in the Resources section. This guide contains all the practical information you need on how to become a PlantWise Partner and stop the spread of invasive horticultural species!
Invasive Species eLearning
All your staff are invited to take part in a complimentary eLearning course developed for gardeners and the horticulture industry industry. This course outlines the PlantWise program and the tangible steps we can take to stop the spread of invasive plants!
This course will help you:
- Understand why invasive plants are sold in garden centers
- Learn about common invasive plants for sale in BC
- Know what to plant instead
Visit ISCBC’s Learning Centre to enroll now.
RESOURCES FOR STAFF AND CUSTOMERS
Supporting materials
Resources have been created for staff and customers and include fact sheets, rack cards, stickers, decals, and more. Digital versions of these resources are available here; get in touch with us through the order form below. Special thanks to our pilot partners who reviewed these resources and offered their feedback. Don’t forget to check the PlantWise page for more resources!
*Review applicable lists of regulated invasive species at the national, provincial, regional and municipal levels across Canada. For regional and municipal lists, connect with your local regional invasive species organization (RISO) – you can find contact details for many of the RISOs here.*
ORDER MATERIALS
Partners
Canadian Council on Invasive Species who co-developed the PlantWise Recognized Retailer Program
Affiliate Regional Invasive Species Organisations who support in delivering the PlantWise program in their respective regions
Get Support
Please email questions or comments to info@bcinvasives.ca