There are so many great things to do in the Boundary. We have hiking, mountain biking, fishing, hunting, kayaking, cycling, dirt biking and horseback riding just to name a few. We share this world with a myriad of other animals and plants. Most of the plants and animals in the Boundary are native to the Boundary but there is a concern about invasive species. Invasive species are not native to B.C. and have negative impacts on local ecosystems and economies. You can take some simple steps to protect our native species and their habitat. You can Play Clean Go! The top 5 tips are: come clean, use only local firewood, use weed-free hay, stay on designated trails and leave clean. Come clean means that you should check yourself, gear, pets and vehicles to make sure you are not bringing any dirt, seeds, plants and bugs from home. Using only local firewood is very important to stop the spread of pests that attack trees. Don’t take any firewood home with you when you go out of the area as there may be pests in the wood. If you are out on a pack trip it is a good idea to feed your animals weed free hay for 3 days before you leave and while you are on your trip. You don’t want to be responsible for introducing invasive plants into a pristine wilderness area. Stay on designated trails no matter if you are on foot, bike, horse or ATV. Leave clean means making sure you don’t have any dirt, seeds, plants, or bugs on your belongings before you leave for home. If you are in an area that has lots of weeds you don’t want to bring them back home! It’s a good idea to stop at the nearest car wash and clean the undercarriage of your vehicle to help stop the spread of invasive plants. Some places have bike wash stations which are great for keeping your mountain bike clean. Boot brush stations can be found at some trail heads but it’s always a good idea to have a handheld boot brush in your pack. Check out https://playcleango.org/take-action/ for lots of great tips. For more tips on Stopping the Spread check out our website www.boundaryinvasives.com. You can contact the Boundary Invasive Species Society with questions and concerns about invasive species on Facebook, info@boundaryinvasives.com or 250-446-2232.