Protecting Our Land: Weed and Pest Inspectors in Action
Thursday, June 26, 2025
Summer is here! The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and the grass is growing. But with the grass, comes the weeds and the pests. Every year, Rocky View County hires seasonal staff to help in the battle against pests and invasive weeds species.
Weed Inspections Across the County
Weed inspectors will be throughout the County this summer inspecting private, public, and municipal property to help stop the spread of regulated weeds listed as noxious and prohibited noxious under Alberta’s Weed Control Act. These weeds can pose serious economic, ecological, and environmental threats to the land by displacing native plants, reducing biodiversity, degrading soil and water quality, and interfering with agricultural production.
Prohibited noxious weeds, such as nodding thistle and bighead knapweed, must be destroyed in their entirety to prevent establishment. Noxious weeds, such as Canada thistle, black henbane, and perennial sow-thistle, must be controlled to limit their spread. Controlling these species helps protect native ecosystems, maintain the health of rangelands and croplands, and reduce the long-term costs of invasive species management.
It is the landowner’s responsibility to manage and control the spread of noxious and prohibited species. Rocky View County Agricultural & Environmental Services has an annual weed control program which can be viewed here.
Crop Inspections and Pest Control
While the weed inspectors work with the Weed Control Act, the crop inspector works under the Pest Control Act. The Pest Control Act manages the animals, birds, insects and disease that threaten the crops and livelihoods of our producers. Throughout the season, the crop inspector carries out surveys for a variety of concerns including clubroot and Dutch elm disease.
Meet the 2025 Inspection Team
Back Row L to R: Angelina Oblak (Crop Inspector), Lauren Oblak (Weed Inspector), Caroline Champagne (Administrative Clerk), Cassandra Karlzen (Weed Inspector)
Front Row L to R: Tim Butler (Equipment Operator), Sydney Sefton (Weed Inspector), Chloe Stewart (Equipment Operator), Riley Romashenko (Equipment Operator), Wyatt Fyten (Weed Inspector), Bennett Erickson (Weed Inspector)
Spot a Weed? Report It Today
Help us protect Rocky View County by using our Report-a-Problem Form, available here. We encourage you to notify us of any weed infestations you observe on private, public or municipal properties. Our primary goal is to prevent the further spread of invasive species throughout Rocky View County.
Posted in:
Agriculture