The District of West Vancouver approved a new, unbudgeted pilot project last week in efforts to contain the spread of knotweed, an invasive species, in Caulfeild Park.

The municipality will partner with the Lighthouse Park Preservation Society, a residential group that is dedicated to maintaining the natural integrity of the region's parks. The society is offering up $3,000 to fund this year's initiative, a generous gift that was well received by council.

On July 26, Alexandra Mancini, LPPS president, pushed for the adoption of the pilot project by council, citing the urgency of the matter.

"Knotweed is a threat to the rich biodiversity and historical features in Caulfeild Park," said Mancini. "We are approaching the ideal time for such work, which is August, we are almost there. Any patches not treated this year will double or triple in size by next season, and therefore be more costly to remove."

Due to the time-sensitive nature of the knotweed pilot project, council was quick to pass the motion.

Coun. Michael Smith even suggested matching the LPPS donation with a municipal grant, but his idea was turned down because of budgetary constraints and the fact that such a decision would be unfair to other groups vying for money through the grant application process.

The pilot project will control the species through a single "stem injection," a process that involves direct insertion of a pesticide into the stems of selective plants.

This particular method is one that the district's senior parks manager, Andrew Banks, cited as more effective than other methods, such as manual removal, or spraying.

"By July or August, the plants are usually about seven feet high, so to spray would be risky to the environment and other plants as well," said Banks.

While no district money will go towards the project this year, the passage of the motion means that council will be required to consider the allocation of close to $10,000 to the Knotweed Control Pilot Project in the 2011 budget.

With the passage of the knotweed initiative, council revisited the larger issue of implementing an invasive species policy, an issue that some councillors say they are keen to address.

kblackadar@nsnews.com