The P.E.I. Invasive Species Council is leading an effort to find, gather and destroy wild parsnip from public corridors on Prince Edward Island after the plant was identified as a threat to people and animals when it reaches maturity.
Where removal is taking place
Work is underway on sections of the Confederation Trail in Charlottetown and along Route 14 in Tignish, where volunteers and partner groups are removing the plant and taking steps to dispose of it safely.
- Confederation Trail — Charlottetown: targeted removals on trailside vegetation.
- Route 14 — Tignish: local watershed group members conducting hands-on removal.
Photographs provided with coverage show workers in full protective equipment handling the plants before they are gathered for destruction, a measure intended to limit human and animal contact with the mature stalks.
When the invasive plant is fully mature, it can can cause burns and blistering to people and animals.
Local groups involved
Among those on the ground is the Tignish Watershed Management Group. In one image, volunteer Drew Hackett is pictured dressed from head to toe in protective gear as she handles wild parsnip on Route 14 in Tignish, illustrating the precautions volunteers are taking while removing the plants.
The P.E.I. Invasive Species Council is coordinating the removals, working with local partners to target stands of the plant in public-use areas.
Why this matters to Islanders
Wild parsnip is being treated as a public-safety concern on the Island because of its potential to cause painful skin reactions. The council and partner groups are focused on areas where people and pets may come into contact with the plant, such as trails and roadside shoulders.
For Island residents and visitors, awareness is key. Those who encounter unfamiliar roadside or trailside plants are being advised to avoid touching them and to report suspicious stands to local authorities or the Invasive Species Council so they can be assessed and removed if required.
How the removals are being carried out
Photos and descriptions from the groups involved indicate removals are being done manually and with personnel wearing appropriate protective clothing. Plants are being collected and taken away for destruction rather than being left on site.
| Location | Group(s) involved | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Confederation Trail, Charlottetown | P.E.I. Invasive Species Council (partners) | Trailside removals and disposal |
| Route 14, Tignish | Tignish Watershed Management Group | Manual removal with personal protective equipment |
What to do if you find wild parsnip
- Avoid touching the plant, especially when it is mature.
- Keep children and pets away from stands of the plant.
- Report sightings to the P.E.I. Invasive Species Council or your local municipal office so they can be assessed and removed safely.
While the council leads the organised removals, community members and trail users play a role by staying informed and reporting occurrences. The council’s efforts to eliminate hazardous plants from shared public spaces aim to reduce the risk of accidental contact and ensure trails and roadsides remain safe for everyone.
This operation is part of ongoing invasive-species work on Prince Edward Island that focuses on detection, removal and public education. The council and partner organisations have emphasised the importance of careful handling and proper disposal during removal to reduce further spread.
Additional details about the removals and ways to report sightings were not included in the material provided with this report. The story will be updated as more information becomes available.
