What are invasive species?

Invasive species are plants, animals and microbes that are not native to a region and that tend to out-compete native species for available resources. They often form dense populations and dominate ecosystems. After habitat loss, invasive species are considered to be the second greatest threat to global biological diversity.

Humans cause most of the spread of invasive species. People transport invasive species to environments that were not previously home to these species due to geographical boundaries. This may occur deliberately (for example, when ornamental plants are imported for gardens), or accidentally (such as when trans-oceanic ships discharge ballast water containing shellfish larvae into a receiving port). Although only a small percentage of species that are introduced into new areas can survive, those that do can cause serious problems.

Priority invasive species pose the greatest environmental threats. These species are typically new to a region or have not spread too far to control or eradicate.

Prevention with early detection and rapid response are two of the most important actions to successfully manage invasive species and their impacts. For more information please see the CRD information page on invasive species.

Parks & Public Place Prohibitions - Dogs

The below is from Animal Control Bylaw no. 4013.
View full PDF here or visit oakbay.ca/municipal-hall/bylaws

55.    No dog owner shall suffer or permit his dog to be in that part of Uplands Park shown outlined in a heavy black line on the plan attached hereto as Schedule "C" and forming a part hereof, during the months of April, May and June in any year, except when the same is under the full custody and control of a competent person by means of a chain or leash not exceeding 2.4 metres in length.

56.    No dog owner shall suffer or permit his dog to be in any of the parks enumer-
ated in Schedule "D" attached hereto and forming a part hereof, except when the dog is under the full custody and control of a competent person by means of a chain or leash not exceeding 2.4 metres in length.

57.    Notwithstanding Section 56, a dog owner may permit his dog to be unleashed in Windsor Park

(1)    between sunrise and 9 o‟clock a.m. on any day from July 1 to August 31 in any year; and

(2)    between sunrise and 11 o‟clock a.m. on any day from September 1 in one year to June 30 in the next year;

provided, however, that the dog must nevertheless remain at all times under the full custody and control of a competent person.
(**Bylaw 4194, adopted Aug.18, 2003)

58.    Section 57 does not apply

(1)    to the fenced Rose Garden in the easterly portion of Windsor Park; or

(2)    to any portion of Windsor Park on days or at times where the use of that portion of Windsor Park has been reserved for, and is being used by, an individual, group or organization as evidenced by a permit issued under the authority of the Oak Bay Parks and Recreation Commission.

59.    No dog owner shall suffer or permit his dog to be:

(1)    in the fenced Rose Garden in the easterly portion of Windsor Park;

(2)    in the Native Plant Park, being Lot C and Lots 81, 82 and 83, Section 23, Victoria District, Plan 368;

(3)    in the golf course and chip trail area of Henderson Park, as more particularly shown outlined in a heavy black line on the plan attached hereto as Schedule “E” and forming a part hereof;

(4)    in the Turkey Head Walkway area of the Oak Bay Marina Lookout, as more particularly shown outlined in a heavy black line on the plan attached hereto as Schedule “F” and forming a part hereof; and

(5)    in the fenced Water Park in the north easterly portion of Carnarvon Park. (**Bylaw 4546, adopted November 14, 2011)

(6)    on Kitty Islet, as more particularly shown outlined in a heavy black line on the plan attached hereto as Schedule “G” and forming a part hereof. (**Bylaw 4566, adopted June 25, 2012)

60.    No dog owner shall suffer or permit his dog to be on Willows Beach at any time between May 1 and September 30 in any year.

60.1    No dog owner shall suffer or permit his/her dog to be on McNeill Bay Beach at any time except:

(1)    between October 1 in one year and April 30 of the next year; and

(2)    in May, June, July, August or September, between sunrise and sunset.
(**Bylaw No. 4369, adopted May 28, 2007)
(**Bylaw No. 4477, adopted June 24, 2009)
(**Bylaw No. 4529, adopted March 14, 2011)
(**Bylaw 4566, adopted June 25, 2012)

61.    No dog owner shall suffer or permit his dog to be upon any street, except when the dog is under the full custody and control of a competent person by means of a chain or leash not exceeding 2.4 metres in length.

61.1    No dog owner shall suffer or permit his dog to be upon any public school grounds, except when the dog is under the full custody and control of a competent person by means of a chain or leash not exceeding 2.4 metres in length.
(**Bylaw No. 4541, adopted July 18, 2011)