Open Collections

Abstract

Many current discourses of invasive plant species as malicious promote campaigns of eradication (Lidström et al., 2016; Subramaniam, 2001). However, in the context of climate change and colonialism, native ranges of plants and other species have changed dramatically and will continue to do so; interdisciplinary research is urgently needed to rethink human interactions with local ecosystems, as all species (humans, plants, and others) will have to adapt to these changes together (Grenz, 2024). Using the framework of environmental humanities, this study investigated park user interactions with introduced/invasive plant species in two parks in Kelowna, BC, on unceded syilx territory. My master’s thesis asks: what perceptions do community members have of invasive plants and how can community-engaged methods offer local perspectives that might challenge, complement, or extend notions of invasive plants in conservation biology and related fields? Importantly, the goal of this thesis is not to comprehensively present or critique scientific perspectives on invasive plants. Rather, it trials methods for engaging local park users and presents their perspectives on these issues, in recognition that the success of plant management actions will be strengthened with local user input and engagement. The study was split into three phases investigating Woodhaven and Mission Ridge parks spanning Jan. – Dec. 2024. Phase I: multispecies ethnographic observation using sketching, multimedia recording, notetaking and thick description methods. Phase II: community-engaged walking interviews with 8 participants in the two parks. Phase III: two community arts-based workshops (collaborative zine-making) to facilitate deeper, participatory, and collective exploration of these views. Arts-based methods allowed for building community trust and exploring latent perspectives. This thesis begins with an introduction to research on invasive species and critiques from Indigenous and environmental humanities scholars. The second chapter introduces the place this research was conducted (Kiʔláwnaʔ, on unceded syilx territory). Each body chapter takes its name from one plant encountered in this research – dandelion, Oregon grape, baby’s breath, great mullein, and tree of heaven – and explores issues that arose in relation to these species. I finish with a coda on future possibilities for how we could relate to introduced plants.