2025-09-10 BATTLING WATER SOLDIER: LEARN ABOUT WHAT QUINTE CONSERVATION IS DOING TO TACKLE THIS INVASIVE AQUATIC THREAT

Belleville, ON - The public is invited to attend an information session on September 16th to learn about the negative impacts Water Soldier (Stratiotes aloides) has on local aquatic ecosystems and the proactive measures Quinte Conservation, the Ministry of Environment, Conservation & Parks, and the Ontario Federation of Anglers & Hunters are taking to combat this species in the Bay of Quinte.

Water Soldier is an extremely invasive perennial aquatic plant originating from Europe and Northwest Asia. Prior to being regulated as a prohibited invasive species under Ontario’s Invasive Species Act, it was sold for use as an ornamental plant in water gardens, and has since spread to other waterbodies, such as the Trent-Severn Waterway, the Black River (near Sutton, ON), the Bay of Quinte, Red Horse Lake (north of Gananoque), and Cook’s Bay in Lake Simcoe. 

Water Soldier negatively impacts aquatic ecosystems by:

• Forming dense mats of floating vegetation which creates stagnant water and impacts water-based recreational activities
• Reducing plant biodiversity by crowding out native species
• Altering water chemistry which may harm phytoplankton and other important aquatic organisms
• Causing dangerous swimming conditions due to sharp, serrated leaf edges

The Water Soldier information night will provide participants with detailed information about this invasive aquatic plant, prevention methods, ways to identify and report sightings, as well as up-coming volunteer opportunities, both on water and land.

What: Water Soldier Information Night

When: September 16, 2025, from 5:00pm – 6:00pm (information booths) 6:00pm – 8:00pm (presentations)

Where: Quinte Conservation’s office at 2061 Old Hwy 2, Belleville ON K8N 4Z2

Register for this free event: https://onlineforms.quinteconservation.ca/Events/2025/Water-Soldier-Information-Night-Registration

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For immediate inquiries, contact:
Kirsten Geisler
Communications Specialist
613-968-3434 ext. 123
kgeisler@quinteconservation.ca