Vegetation Management

Vegetation Management

Vegetation management refers to the practice of controlling and maintaining plant growth, particularly in areas where unmanaged vegetation could pose risks or interfere with human activities. It is commonly applied in the following contexts:

Utilities: Ensuring trees and other plants do not interfere with power lines, pipelines, or other infrastructure. This can prevent outages and reduce the risk of fires.
Fire Prevention: Reducing vegetation that could serve as fuel for wildfires, particularly in areas prone to fire. This involves clearing brush, maintaining firebreaks, and other preventative measures.
Urban Areas: Managing parks, green spaces, and other public areas to ensure safety, accessibility, and aesthetic appeal. This includes activities like mowing, pruning, and removing hazardous trees.
Environmental Conservation: Preserving natural habitats and promoting biodiversity by controlling invasive species and encouraging the growth of native plants.

Effective vegetation management requires a strategic approach that considers the specific needs and challenges of the area being managed, as well as the long-term environmental and social impacts.

Trees

Trees are an integral part of our urban landscape, providing a wide range of benefits that contribute to the overall well-being of our community. From environmental advantages such as improving air quality and sequestering carbon to economic benefits like enhancing home value and reducing energy consumption, and even social benefits such as reducing stress and providing food, trees play a crucial role in creating a sustainable and vibrant city.

Click here to learn more about City owned trees and Grande Prairie's urban forest.

Parks Operations maintains over 1300 acres of turf in parks, boulevards, easements and roadside ditches.
This includes mowing, turf repair, fertilization and noxious weed control as required to keep turfgrass throughout Grande Prairie healthy and vibrant.
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Per Council direction in 2008, no aesthetic weed control is conducted except on sportsfields and highly ornamental parks. Dandelions and clover are both completely non-noxious and provide important forage for struggling pollinator species.
We encourage residents to maintain a healthy and vibrant mix of species in their turf to withstand pests and diseases and to provide food for these important insects.
Every year, the City of Grande Prairie receives hundreds of complaints of weed infestations, from dandelions to tansy. Weed inspectors are appointed by Council to ensure legislated prohibited noxious and noxious weeds are destroyed or controlled. If a plant is non-legislated (such as dandelions), then the City bears no responsibility to ensure its control.
Complaints received about legislated weeds are handled in a specific series of steps, outlined below:
1. Each complaint is assigned to a weed inspector to handle. They visit the area to conduct a thorough inspection. Under the Weed Control Act, inspectors are allowed to enter private land, without owner permission or knowledge, at any reasonable hour to conduct inspections. Location, species and growth stage of the weed are all documented in a weed report, which is kept on file permanently.
2. The inspector will then contact the property owner to discuss control options and decide a date by which control must be completed.
3. If the property owner fails to voluntarily control the weeds on their land by the date specified, the weed inspector will contact them again to discuss their reasons for non-compliance. Since herbicide applications can only be conducted safely during specific weather conditions, wind, rain, and high/low temperatures and humidity often delay weed control.
4. If the weed inspector is not satisfied with the property owner's reasons for non-compliance, they may then issue a weed notice. Weed notices are legal documents under the Weed Control Act, and clearly outline the weed species and its designation, its location, acceptable control options and a date of completion.
5. If the property owner fails to comply with the weed notice, the municipality will conduct weed control as outlined on the notice (either themselves or through a contractor) and bill all charges back to the property owner. Any outstanding charges are applied to the tax roll of the property.
If you wish to report noxious or prohibited noxious weeds, please contact Parks Operations directly.
In 2008, per Council's direction, Parks Operations ceased to apply herbicide for dandelion control on City-maintained turf areas. This dramatically reduced the amount of herbicide applied yearly to boulevards and parks.
Dandelions are an aesthetic weed; they are non-legislated in Alberta and there is no requirement for their control. We encourage homeowners to leave their lawn dandelions as an early spring food source for struggling native bee populations.
The City of Grande Prairie is proud to be protecting pollinators in our community as an official Bee City. Some of the work we are doing to protect and support the local pollinator populations includes:
- Eight pollinator gardens created in GP specifically to boost pollinators during times when other nectars and pollen sources are in short supply
- Ground cover in our community orchards planted to provide pollen when sources are in short supply
- Committed to an Edible Landscaping Policy 212 across the City to plant a specific portion of trees each year that produce edible crops. These trees produce flowers that feed pollinators. Since 2014, Parks Operations has planted hundreds of edible trees, including apple, pear, apricot, plum, and cherry trees
- Created a Bylaw that allows for naturalization of areas of land which to support local pollinators
- Significantly reduced the use of insecticides since 2015

Noxious Weed Control in Grande Prairie: How the City is Taking Action

The City of Grande Prairie is committed to managing noxious and prohibited noxious weeds as part of our ongoing environmental stewardship. These invasive plants can pose serious risks to local ecosystems, agriculture and biodiversity. To effectively control these weeds, the City employs two targeted programs that operate throughout the growing season until the first frost.

Program 1: Mechanically Managed Areas
In areas where mowing and other regular maintenance occur, we use broadleaf spot-spraying techniques. This means we target only specific noxious and prohibited noxious weeds listed under the Alberta Weed Act, preserving other plant life in the area.
Program 2: Naturalized and Non-Mechanically Managed Areas
For areas that are not mowed or mechanically controlled—such as naturalization zones—we rely on chemical control. Approved herbicides are applied in a targeted manner, focusing only on noxious weeds. Due to environmental safety standards, each site receives just one chemical application per growing season.

Understanding the Process

After treatment, it can take days or even weeks for weeds to show visible signs of desiccation. During this period, the herbicide is being absorbed into the plants' root systems, ensuring the weeds are eliminated at the source and do not return the following season. For this reason, it’s essential not to disturb the treated plants, allowing the process to work effectively.

Doing Our Part Together

Maintaining a healthy environment is a shared responsibility. The City works hard to control weeds on public lands and asks residents to help by managing noxious weeds on their properties. Together, we can help prevent the spread of invasive species and protect our community’s green spaces.

How to Report Areas of Concern

If you notice areas of public land that require attention or treatment, please let us know. You can report them through Access GP by dialing 311 or emailing info@cityofgp.com

Learn more about all the Noxious and Prohibited Noxious weeds by visiting the Directory of Common Legislated Weeds.

Vegetation Management

Vegetation Management