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Invasive plant to be removed from QC's Spirit Square

By Karyn Prest--There's an invasive plant in Spirit Square in Queen Charlotte, village council learned Monday night.Sean Muise, Stewardship Forester with the Ministry of Forests, told council that Spirit Square was home to a Butterfly bush, classified as invasive in BC.Several volunteer landscapers ensured Spirit Square is a beautiful, welcoming place, but apparently overlooked this plant.Though many islanders "continue to purchase it at garden stores throughout the province, (it) has had dire consequences in some aquatic ecosystems and it would be a target species for removal on any Crown land here on Haida Gwaii", said Mr. Muise in an email to the village.The plant is sold at many nurseries province-wide, but some are taking it off the shelves, along with plants like English holly, periwinkle, and Scotch broom. For a full list of invasive plants, visit www.invasiveplantcouncilbc.ca.For now, Charlotte's Chief Administrative Officer Bill Beamish says plans are being made to remove the plant from Spirit Square.