Parts of Snyder's Flats to close while GRCA applies herbicide to invasive plant

An outbreak of an invasive plant at Snyder's Flats Conservation Area is leading the Grand River Conservation Authority to close a portion of the area's trail network in the coming days.

A herbicide will be applied to portions of Snyder's Flatsbetween September 22 and 26 to take out the plant. The GRCA will post signs warning of the closures in the parking lot at the end of the Snyder's Flats Road just outside of Bloomingdale, in WoolwichTownship.

Phragmites spreads quickly and hinders the growth of surrounding plants by releasing a toxin from its roots into the soil and can also reduce wetland wildlife species It istaking over wetlands across North America.

The GRCA says it has successfully eliminated the plant during two previous treatments but will need follow-up action for another couple of years.

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"We hope that by reacting quickly to the presence of this invasive species, its spread can be stopped, and its impact on the habitat of other plants and animals will be minimized," Ron Wu-Winter, Watershed Forester with the Grand River Conservation Authority said in a statement.

A licensed pesticide applicator will apply Roundup, also known as glyphosate,to phragmites by hand to avoid affecting other vegetation.