Back in 2010, John Kemp was showing young scouts which plants to steer clear of while exploring when he stumbled upon a picture of giant hogweed.
“This can’t be real,” he thought to himself. After all, he’d never encountered such a plant during his adventures.
Fast forward to today, and he’s at the helm of an organization focused on fighting this dangerous invasive species that is spreading along the Grand River, threatening both people and the environment.
“Every watershed in southern Ontario is now affected,” said Kemp, founder of the Giant Hogweed Mitigation Project. “At our current pace, by 2029, it’ll be hard to get in or out of the water without pushing through giant hogweed.”
According to Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources, giant hogweed is an ornamental garden plant from southwest Asia that has become increasingly prevalent in southern and central Ontario.
The plant is deemed invasive and raises concerns regarding biodiversity and human health.
WATCH | Here’s why you should avoid giant hogweed:
Giant hogweed is spreading along the Grand River. Here’s why you should avoid it
When he’s not suited up in protective gear digging out giant hogweed that towers over him along the Grand River, he’s instructing canoers, hikers, and high school explorers on how to stay away from this invasive species. John Kemp started the Giant Hogweed Mitigation Project. He chatted with CBC’s Aastha Shetty about his mission to raise awareness about this extremely toxic plant that’s rapidly proliferating in Waterloo region and across southern Ontario.
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A giant hogweed plant. The Grand River Conservation Authority notes that this plant belongs to the carrot family and can sometimes be mistaken for other common plants like cow parsnip or angelica. (Credit: i Stock/Getty Images)
Threatening Invasive Plant
Giant hogweed, sometimes called giant cow parsnip, can grow between 2.4 and 4.2 metres tall. Its stem features coarse hairs with purple splotches. The leaves are unevenly shaped and it produces clusters of white flowers resembling an umbrella. Kemp mentions that the clear sap from the plant is what makes it dangerous because it contains toxins capable of causing severe skin reactions or inflammation. This is something he knows all too well from personal experience. “I’ve got some burns from mistakes with my protective gear,” he pointed out some scars on his forearms caused by exposure to the sap. “They call it phytophotodermatitis,” Kemp explained. “It alters your skin so that it’s not able to protect you against ultraviolet light leading to severe sunburns.” “If you just accidentally brush against a leaf, you’re probably fine,” he added.‘A Perfect Storm’
Kemp pointed out one issue enabling giant hogweed’s spread is people not recognizing its dangers for both nature and individuals. On their website, Kemp stated: “Resistance from elected officials to take interest is surprisingly strong. The rate at which this plant population expands is alarming; we seem only to make minor progress – so far.” “Resistance from elected officials to take interest is surprisingly strong. The rate at which this plant population expands is alarming; we seem only to make minor progress – so far.”- John Kemp, Giant Hogweed Mitigation Project “It’s sort of like a perfect storm,” Kemp told CBC K-W’s The Morning Edition host Craig Norris. “People don’t know what it looks like. They don’t realize it’s there or how to avoid it.” However, some local groups are taking action against this invasive threat within their areas. Fraser Gibson belongs to Waterloo Region Nature , a non-profit group engaged in conservation efforts within Waterloo region. He’s part of their Montgomery Committee responsible for managing their Montgomery Wildlife Sanctuary near New Dundee along Nith River. “Without our management efforts , I think we’d face serious problems,” Gibson said regarding their wildlife sanctuary’s situation with giant hogweed. He mentioned members have received training from Rare Charitable Research Reserve on safely removing these plants. “Each week someone patrols our property , particularly around riverbanks. Any time we find a giant hogweed , we dig it out ,” Gibson explained. “We leave them in sunny spots so they dry up.” “The first scout found over 30 plants during their initial visit ,” Gibson noted. “Since then , numbers have dropped significantly.”‘Owner’s Duty’ To Remove Giant Hogweeds Kemp explains that many folks expect organizations like Grand River Conservation Authority ( GRCA ) or government agencies will handle giant hogweeds but that’s simply not true. As per GRCA’s website , they only manage removal on properties they own. “If you see it on your land , private property , municipal parks or places near riverbanks or streams , reach out to your local weed inspector ,” continues their site.<“By law ,[it’s] owner’s duty. Every landowner ought inspect their property & eliminate weeds,”Kemp insisted.“That’s where we’re falling short.”
Kemp says one goal through his project is aiding those unable handle removals themselves.
“We really need support for neighbors & together care for shorelines,”he said.Giant hogweed leaves. According to the Grand River Conservation Authority, its sap makes skin very sensitive towards light which could lead into “severe burning & blistering” after sun exposure.(Brittany Spencer/CBC)
Proper Removal Techniques for Giant Hogweeds
The province’s invasive species website suggests hiring professional exterminators for safe removal of these plants. The natural resources ministry also advises tackling them in late April or early May when they’re usually less than 30 centimetres tall; easier for digging up with shovels & more susceptible if herbicides are considered as a chemical option.When dealing personally with these plants, Kemp suggests wearing protective clothing like hazmat suits gloves eye protection avoiding any contact possible.
“If sap gets onto you, wash off soap water within twenty minutes then you’ll be fine,”he described.
Kemp acknowledges ridding ourselves completely might be impossible.
“We must learn coexist alongside them,”he remarked. “Right now it’s dominating; it’s taken over.”
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