Help Detect Invasive Phragmites

Help Protect Desert Lake from Invasive Phragmites

If you’ve spent time on the water in Ontario, you may have seen tall, dense stands of grass along shorelines or ditches that seem to take over everything in their path. That’s invasive Phragmites—and it’s one of the most aggressive plants threatening wetlands, shorelines, and aquatic habitats across our province.

In 2024, Cataraqui Conservation and local partners launched two new initiatives to fight back: the Cataraqui Region Phragmites Management Area (CR-PMA) and the Cataraqui Region Invasive Phragmites Working Group (CR-IPWG). Last year, volunteers and partner groups monitored roadsides and parklands across our region, recording over 500,000 m² of invasive Phragmites. You can view the interactive map of known patches here: Phragmites Dashboard Map.

This work has allowed the team to write the first-ever regional management plan—but the fight is far from over.

Why This Matters for Desert Lake

Phragmites doesn’t just block your view—it chokes out native plants, reduces habitat for fish and wildlife, and even changes the natural flow of water. Once it takes hold, it’s extremely difficult and expensive to remove. Early detection and quick action are key to protecting our lake.

How You Can Get Involved

Cataraqui Conservation is encouraging everyone to take action:

• Report Phragmites patches – If you know of any invasive Phragmites in your area, record it in the Cataraqui Invasive Phrag Survey. Select “Open in browser” for the desktop version, or download the free Survey123 app to make observations on the go. View the guide or watch the instructional video for help setting it up on your phone.

• Remove it from your property – If you have Phragmites on your land and want to remove it, you can borrow a Phragmites Removal Kit from Cataraqui Conservation.

• Join the network – If you’re part of a local stewardship group, community organization, environmental non-profit, municipal, or Indigenous government, you can sign up for Working Group meetings and updates by emailing info@crca.ca.

Every patch we identify and every clump we remove brings us closer to protecting the beauty, biodiversity, and health of Desert Lake for future generations.

Click here, for a Printable Version of the poster.