RIDEAU VALLEY, January 9, 2026 – The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA) has a new weapon in its fight against Ontario’s most aggressive reed: a provincially-funded group of like-minded stewards itching to make a difference.
Thanks to a $10,000 grant, the new Rideau Valley Phragmites Management Area (RVPMA) will form a working group to share expertise, leverage resources and develop a coordinated strategy to reduce the spread and impacts of the invasive plant across the watershed.
RVCA staff are now recruiting working group members ahead of the first meeting on January 23, 2026. Organizations or individuals with experience in mapping, managing or understanding the phragmites problem can apply at www.rvca.ca/phragmites.
Invasive phragmites, also known as the European common reed (Phragmites australis), is a non-native grass species that spreads aggressively in Ontario. It can be found in dense stands along roadways, shorelines, wetlands, and other natural areas.
Growing several metres tall, phragmites can eliminate habitat for native plants, fish, birds, and other wildlife, degrading critical wetland ecosystems. Its thick root systems and accumulated plant material can reduce sight lines along roadways, increase fire risks and block drainage systems, causing flooding and increased infrastructure maintenance costs.
Phragmites can also invade agricultural areas and spread rapidly along shorelines and in shallow lakes, limiting access for recreational activities and negatively impacting tourism and property values.
The working group will meet two or three times a year, following guidance from the Ontario Phragmites Action (OPA) program, a province-wide effort to stop its spread. The Rideau Valley group will also work closely with other neighbouring Phragmites Management Areas in the region.
“Addressing the phragmites problem requires expertise, dedication and regional co-ordination,” said working group lead Meaghan McDonald, RVCA’s shoreline stewardship co-ordinator. “We’re thrilled to put all the experts together in one room with the support of the Province and local partners.”
To learn more visit www.rvca.ca/phragmites or email
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More Resources:
- Phragmites Fact Sheet– Ontario.ca
- Phragmites Information– Ontario Invasive Plant Council
- Best Management Practices for Phragmites PDF
- Ontario Phragmites Action (OPA) Program
