Municipal Mini: Naturalization Maintenance Trial

Naturalized areas provide important environmental benefits, including supporting biodiversity, pollinators and natural habitats. As these areas mature, the Town is looking at ways to balance those benefits with ongoing maintenance needs and resident feedback.

This fall, the Town of Olds is trialling a maintenance program involving mechanical cutting of vegetation in naturalized areas throughout the community. Areas will be prioritized based on the presence of noxious and prohibited noxious weeds, epicormic shoot populations and overall vegetation management needs.

This work will help:

• Reduce the establishment and spread of noxious and invasive weeds
• Control epicormic shoots, tree suckers and woody growth before they become more difficult and costly to manage
• Improve the overall appearance of naturalized areas
• Enhance visibility near pathways, parks and roadways
• Address overgrowth concerns proactively
• Maintain a balance between natural landscapes and community expectations
• Help native plants and grasses re-establish, flourish and support local biodiversity
• Uphold standards for noxious and invasive weed control

This trial will help the Town evaluate whether annual mowing is an effective long-term maintenance approach while preserving the environmental benefits that naturalized areas provide.

Thank you for your patience and support as we continue to improve and maintain our community spaces.

Learn more about the Naturalization program at www.olds.ca/naturalization.