Darren Umpherson, Weed Inspector for Lanark County, is appointed by By-Law to carry out and perform the duties required under the Weed Control Act. The Weed Inspector performs inspections and enforces complaints about nuisance weeds affecting agricultural and horticultural lands.

The purpose of the Weed Control Act is to reduce:

• noxious weeds for farmers;
• diseases spread by noxious weeds to crops; and
• health hazards for livestock and people.

If you require further information or wish to initiate an inspection by the Weed Inspector, please contact Lanark County’s business office at 613-267-4200.

The Province has currently classified 25 species of weeds as noxious.

Noxious Weeds

Ontario Weed Identification Guide

For more answers to other frequently asked questions you can also refer to the Ministry of Agriculture & Food’s Frequently Asked Questions and the Weed Control Act. 

Wild Parsnip is an invasive plant that is increasingly common within Lanark Highlands. The plant is found in areas such as road shoulders, roadside ditches, rail corridors, trails, and uncultivated lands. There are several look-alikes to Wild Parsnip. For more information visit the Ministry of Environment.

Wild Parsnip may pose a health risk to humans. The plant sap may cause skin and eye irritation and make the skin prone to severe burning and blistering when exposed to the sun. The blisters typically occur two days after contract with the plant. In some cases, this can result in long-term scarring of the skin.

The best way to avoid contact with wild parsnip is to become familiar with what the plant looks like and the proper handling techniques when dealing with the plant.

Wild Parsnip has a single light green (sometimes purple tinged) deeply grooved, hollow stem (except at the nodes) and stands between 5 and 150 cm tall. It is smooth (with few hairs), and typically 2.5 to 5 cm in diameter. The stem of Wild Parsnip is light green and deeply grooved.

Strategies to remove wild parsnip include the digging out the plant roots, targeted mowing, the use of herbicides and ongoing monitoring.

Residents that have a small infestation in a yard or garden (fewer than 100 plants) or who do not want to use pesticides can dig out as much of the taproot as possible with a sharp shovel or spade. Follow-up digging will be required every few weeks to deal with re-growth (if the taproot was not completely removed) or missed plants.

DO NOT burn or compost wild parsnip plants that have been cut down or dug up. Plants and roots that have been removed should be placed in a dark plastic bag and placed in the sun, if possible, away from areas children or pets could access them. After the wild parsnip plant has been left in a black bag for one to two weeks in the sun, it can be collected through your normal waste collection as garbage, not as leaf or yard waste. The bags do not need to be labelled.

Mowing can be effective if begun just after peak blooming, but before the seeds set in the late summer or early fall. Cut plants will likely re-sprout after mowing, so it is important to combine mowing with other control methods such as bagging and removing the plants, especially those that are flowering and spot spraying with an approved herbicide. Be especially careful when using mowers, weed whips, mechanical string trimmers as they can spray users with sap and bits of the plants, leading to redness and sometimes hundreds of blisters on exposed skin. Wear goggles and protective clothing when mowing.

When a weed such as Wild Parsnip is declared a noxious week, both the Municipality and members of the public can purchase herbicides to control it. Use for control of noxious weeks is not considered a cosmetic use of pesticides because the plant can pose a health risk to people. Further information is available on the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) website.

Long-term monitoring is important in keeping this weed under control, as seeds will continue to germinate for several years.

For important safety information on Wild Parsnip hazards, control and disposal review the Wild Parsnip – Best Practices in Ontario

Residents can also contact the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit for more information relating to Public Health in regards to Wild Parsnip or the use of Herbicide Products at 613-267-4114 or visit the Health Unit website

Spraying occurs from the edge of the gravel shoulder to the property limits and uses herbicide to control the growth of undesirable vegetation. The contractors performing the work are fully licensed. Spraying occurs in areas identified during weed audits.

COMING SOON - 2026 Road Spraying List

Per legislation, the Municipality is required to put signs at regular intervals (i.e.: road intersections); this DOES NOT mean that the property was sprayed.

The following locations will not be sprayed:

• Roadside ditches maintained through either a No Spray Agreement or Adopt-A-Road agreement entered into with the Municipality

• Sprayers are turned off at mailboxes or whenever a pedestrian is nearby

Should a property owner or occupant wish to opt-out of the roadside spraying program, two options are available.

An opt-out agreement between the Municipality and a landowner/occupant who takes alternative vegetation control actions to control noxious weeds within the road allowance adjacent to their lands, and therefore, the Municipality does not spray the zone. Property owners or occupants must submit an application to enter into an opt-out agreement.

No-spray applications will be availbable online!

The typical application process is as follows:

1. Property owner submits opt-out application.

2. The Municipality reviews application. Additional information may be required.

3. The Municipality issues a decision on the opt-out request. Notice of the decision will be provided typically within seven (7) business days. If the application is approved, a copy of the finalized agreement will be provided to the property owner. 

If you have not received a decision on your request after seven (7) business days or if you need to provide additional information, please contact the Public Works at 613-259-2398 ext. 239 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Agreements are not guaranteed until the review process is completed. 

Lanark Highland’s Adopt-A-Road Program has been established as a public service program for volunteers to enhance the local litter collection and invasive plant and noxious weed management activities of the Township by conducting approved activities within a section of Township Road right-of-way. It is a way for environmentally conscious citizens/groups to contribute to a better environment and more beautiful Township Road System. 

• Volunteers consisting of groups of 3 or more, aged 19 years and older.
• Volunteers as young as 12 are permitted to take part in the program but must be supervised by an adult aged 19 years or older. The ratio of youth to adults must not surpass 1 adult (aged 19 or older) for every five youth (aged 12 to 18).
• Volunteers are responsible for the collection of litter and the conduction of invasive plant and noxious weed activities as required to control infestations.

• The Township is responsible for providing safety vests, road signs, bags, and safety information.
• The Township will remove and dispose of filled bags and other objects identified. The Township may, at its discretion, take any actions deemed required to ensure program objectives are met within the Township Road right-of-way.
• The Township will also ensure that the objectives of the Adopt-A-Road Agreement and Program are being met and may modify, renew, or terminate any agreements or the program as deemed required by the Township.

Adopt-a-Road Program

Adopt-a-Road Program Agreement

Adopt-a-Road Program - Terms and Conditions

Inventory Map 2022-2023

Inventory Map 2021-2022