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Noxious Weeds

Property owners in Parkland County are responsible for controlling prohibited noxious and noxious weeds on their own land. The weeds designated as prohibited noxious and noxious under the Alberta Weed Control Act can spread rapidly and cause serious problems.

Weed Inspection Program

Parkland County employs four weed inspectors who conduct random inspections and investigate complaints. Each inspector is responsible for a designated area. Weed inspectors have the authority to enter private property without landowner permission in order to conduct inspections.

Click here for a list of Parkland County's fees and charges.

Questions regarding Parkland County’s Weed Inspection Program? Contact Agricultural Services at 780-968-8467.

Weed Notices for Prohibited Noxious and Noxious Weeds

On June 16, 2010, the new Alberta Weed Control Act was proclaimed. The new Act deals with invasive plants that threaten natural ecosystems in addition to agricultural lands.

Changes to note in the new Act is that the categories of Restricted, Noxious and Nuisance weeds have been replaced by Prohibited Noxious and Noxious weeds. Parkland County as a local authority must issue a weed notice for Prohibited Noxious weeds and landowners shall destroy any weeds under this designation.

Weed notices will no longer be sent out via registered mail. Instead, as allowed under the Act, weed notices will be posted on the property where the weed infestation is found.

The list of weed species under each designation has increased; there are 46 plants in the Prohibited Noxious category and 29 in the Noxious category.

Copies of the Weed Control Act and Regulation can be obtained through Alberta Queen's Printer here.

For more information on Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development's link to the news release about the Weed Control Act please click here.

New Alberta Weed Control Act: Prohibited Noxious Weeds (46):

"Prohibited noxious weeds - a person shall destroy a prohibited noxious weed that is on land the person owns or occupies".

Prohibited Noxious weeds pose a serious threat and must be eradicated. These weeds spread rapidly and are highly competitive. Weeds in this category are restricted to prevent establishment in Alberta.

(To view an image/information of the weed please click on the name of the weed.)

Autumn Olive
Bighead Knapweed
Black Knapweed
Brown Knapweed
Chinese Tamarisk (Saltcedar-Tamarisk Family)
Common Barberry
Common Buckthorn
Common Crupina
Common St. John's-wort
Diffuse Knapweed
Dyer's Woad
Eurasian Watermilfoil
Flowering Rush
Garlic Mustard
Giant Hogweed
Giant Knotweed
Himalayan Balsam
Hoary Alyssum
Hybrid Japanese Knotweed
Hybrid Knapweed
Japanese Knotweed
Jointed Goatgrass
Marsh Thistle
Meadow Hawkweed
Meadow Knapweed
Medusahead
Mouse-ear Hawkweed
Nodding Thistle
Orange Hawkweed
Pale Yellow Iris
Plumeless Thistle
Puncturevine
Purple Loosestrife (Lythraceae, Loosestrife Family)
Red Bartsia
Rush Skeletonweed
Russian Knapweed
Saltcedar
Saltlover
Smallflower Tamarisk (Saltcedar, Tamarisk Family)
Spotted Knapweed
Squarrose Knapweed
Sulphur Cinquefoil
Tansy Ragwort
Tyrol Knapweed
Yellow Nutsedge
Yellow Starthistle

New Alberta Weed Control Act: Noxious Weeds (29):

"noxious weeds - a person shall control a noxious weed that is on land the person owns or occupies".

Noxious Weeds have the ability to spread rapidly, cause severe crop losses and economic hardship. These weeds must be controlled to prevent further establishment and spread.

(To view an image/information of the weed please click on the name of the weed)

Black Henbane
Blueweed; Blueweed (AIP)
Broad-leaved pepper-grass
Canada Thistle; Canada Thistle (AIP)
Common Baby's-breath
Common Mullein
Common Tansy; Common Tansy (AIP)
Creeping Bellflower
Dalmatian Toadflax
Dame's Rocket
Downy Brome
Field Bindweed; Field Bindweed (AIP)
Field Scabious; Field Scabious (AIP)
Globe-podded hoary cress
Great Burdock
Heart-podded hoary cress
Hound's-tongue; Hound's-tongue (AIP)
Japanese Brome
Leafy Spurge; Leafy Spurge (AIP)
Lens-podded hoary cress
Lesser Burdock (Common)
Oxeye Daisy; Oxeye Daisy (AIP)
Perennial Sow Thistle; Perennial Sow Thistle (AIP)
Scentless Chamomile; Scentless Chamomile(AIP)
Tall Buttercup; Tall Buttercup (AIP)
White Cockle; White Cockle(AIP)
Woolly Burdock
Yellow Clematis
Yellow Toadflax; Yellow (Common) Toadflax(AIP)

Sources: Alberta Invasive Plant Identification Guide
Alberta Invasive Plants Council