Invasive Plants and Other Pests in the Garden, Forest and Environment

At our September meeting, our guest speaker, Wendy Asbil, will offer gardeners and residents information about invasive species that can threaten plants, forests, agricultural areas and local ecosystems. She brings extensive experience in plant health, research and education to the presentation. She also spent 18 years as a professor, lecturer and researcher at the University of Guelph. Her presentation is expected to help gardeners identify invasive plants and pests, understand how they spread and learn what residents can do to reduce their impact. Invasive species can displace native vegetation, damage trees and crops and create longterm challenges for municipalities, property owners and conservation organizations.

Wendy works for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency as the National Manager for Invasive Alien Species and Domestic Plant Health Programs. Wendy brings extensive experience and dedication to her role at Invasives Canada, having served on the Board for many years and having witnessed its growth and impact firsthand. Wendy’s engagement with government departments, academia, industry, and stakeholders, both nationally and internationally, underscores her commitment to raising awareness of the risks posed by invasive alien species (IAS). She actively promotes compliance and collaborates on policies, programs, and standards to prevent and respond to plant protection challenges posed by invasive species. In addition to her work with the CFIA, Asbil is a board member of the Canadian Council on Invasive Species.