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continued from p.5 Giant hogweed isn't a "feasible target" for safe removal by residents, said Watkins, because of the potential for skin irritation or burns should a person come into contact with the sap and expose it to sunlight. This was the case for Oakville's John Serre last summer. In a recent interview with the Oakville Beaver , Serre spoke of his close encounters with the toxic plant (for story, visit www.oakvillebeaver. com). On one occasion, he said he brushed up against a hogweed branch and came into contact with sap, which formed a blister on his skin that lasted for weeks. Serre almost touched the plant again at Petro Canada Park a short time after. Giant hogweed can grow as high as six metres and is identifiable by a thick, hollow stem with reddish spots and cabbage-like leaves. "Giant hogweed is one that is introduced because of its dramatic looks. It is an escapee because of its prolific seeding. Because it's a big, long hollow tube, kids might play with it like it's a telescope," said Watkins. "They could actually damage their vision by having their eyes exposed to the fluid in the plant." The Town of Oakville, which leases the Petro Canada Park property from Suncor, is working with the energy firm to resolve the issue and find a way to treat any giant hogweed located on the property adjacent to the park. The toxic plant has also been spotted at Lions Valley Park and in parts of Joshua's Creek. Another invasive species that has Awareness is key to future been plaguing Oakville in recent years is the emerald ash borer (EAB) -- a metallic green beetle originating from Asia that infects and kills indigenous ash trees. Earlier this year, the Town kicked off its annual treatment program, which began in 2008, to protect indigenous ash trees against EAB. Bio-insecticide TreeAzin is being utilized to combat EAB's impact on Oakville's tree canopy. "If you're looking at mature trees on your property and they are ash, you should consider planting something beside it so if it gets hit (with EAB), you got the next thing coming up underneath it," said Adams. Early detection and prevention are a "big part" of a successful, long-term strategy to handle invasive species, Watkins said, noting there are smartphone apps that can track their locations. The pair hopes to launch projects in Halton soon, which will train people on safely removing certain foreign species using controlled burns and pesticides. "We want to provide the ability for people to learn all the necessary steps to be their own kind of experts and to train their families, friends, neighbours to be certified individuals, if we get into invasive species that have to be treated with controlled chemicals or prescribed burns," said Watkins. For information on HPBDN, visit www. mainstreambiodiversity.ca. For more on POWER, visit www.powerhalton.ca. 9 | Friday, August 1, 2014 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Closed Aug 2nd-4th · Have a safe weekend! Expert Advice Do you know how your grows? Know Your Source garden Quality Tested Soils Convenient Bulk Deliveries Pick Up Available AUGUST 8-9, 2014 DARYL STUERMER OF GENESIS · DR. LONNIE SMITH TRIO RUTHIE FOSTER · MANTECA · MITCH FROHMAN QUARTET ALYSHA BRILLA · AUTORICKSHAW · THE SOUL MOTIVATORS THE HOGTOWN SYNCOPATORS · FRANK HORVAT BAND GRIFFITH HILTZ TRIO · MIRAY · GINGER ST. JAMES · ROGER CHONG · GONE FISSION · SUBOURBON STREET · YOUTH IN THE SPOTLIGHT · ZIMZUM · HIGH RENDITION JAZZ · CHARLIE KERT MERRIAM ALL-STARS AND MORE! SoilS MulcheS AggregAteS rockery LINGTON BUR GARDEN SUPPLIES LIMITED 905-336-7725 2273 Dundas St., Burlington, ON VISIT US AT burlingtongardens.ca SUMMER Register for HSC CAMPS at www.hsc.on.ca www.oakvillejazz.com jazz.com 6 FREE OUTDOOR STAGES SHOPPING, DINING & MORE! AT HSC, I STAND TALL. This school has built my confidence. My friends and teachers really care about me. When I walk into school every day I feel at home." - Current HSC Student Brought to you by the Businesses of Downtown Oakville and the generous support of our sponsors Hillfield Strathallan College is an independent day school for Montessori Toddler and Pre-Kindergarten students to Grade 12. Visit us at www.hsc.on.ca. Now accepting applications for September 2014. Call Scott Barton 905-389-1367 DO IT GREEN at the TD Downtown Oakville Jazz Festival brought to you by Pratt & Whitney Canada BY BIKE ­ FREE Bike Corral (at Thomas and Robinson) BY BUS ­ From Oakville GO station, BUS #14 Lakeshore West (every 25 min) and BUS #17 Kerr (every hr)