Dandelions get provincial reprieve

Calgarians who strive for a perfectly green lawn are losing a weapon in their never-ending battle against dandelions.

A recently passed overhaul of the province's Weed Control Act saw the much detested yellow flowering plant removed from the list of noxious weeds.

That means municipal bylaw officers will no longer be able tofine homeowners who let dandelions overtake their yards.

"Not to discount people's interest in regular garden weeds but it's important to have a broader view and put everything in its context," said Wilkins.

Wilkins said most of his department's resources are spent battling highly noxious invasive weeds.

That sentiment was echoed by officials with the city of Grande Prairie.

"For our perspective and our municipality there's a lot worse problems than dandelions," said Jim Donnelly, that city's pest management boss.

Chris Neeser a weed specialist for Alberta Agriculture acknowledged that the dandelion is still a nuisance for grain farmers.

But he said the ubiquitous weed is simply part of the Alberta landscape.