Control
There are two main forms of control used by the BCSWG used to eradicate Spartina spp: manual/mechanical and chemical. Initially, the BCSWG employed only manual/mechanical methods to deal with the three species of invasive Spartina in BC. Unfortunately, after multiple years and various trials using different methods, manual/mechanical control proved unsuccessful in preventing the spread of S. anglica and S. patens, let alone leading to their eradication. As of 2015, the BCSWG has used a low-concentration herbicide mixture of Habitat (active ingredient: Imazapyr) and a surfactant (AgSurf II) to treat clones of S. anglica and S. patens. Direct application methods using spray wands are employed to minimize the effects of the mixture on other salt marsh plants.
Restoration
In many areas of BC's coastline where smaller examples of Spartina have been eradicated, native plants have reclaimed the landscape on their own. In other areas, however, where Spartina had been widespread and dominant before eradication, human intervention is needed to restore these ecosystems. The BCSWG has worked with multiple partners over the years to actively restore coastal areas severely damaged by Spartina spp.
Along the shores of Burrard Inlet in Port Moody, BC, the BCSWG has been working with authorities from the district of Port Moody to test different replanting methods on areas previously infested by Spartina. These experiments will be crucial in determining effective replanting regimes that can be used in similarly disturbed shoreline habitats.