Eighteen volunteers showed up to bust some broom at Echo Park on Saturday, May 4 as broombusting season gets into full swing.
Scotch broom is an invasive species on Vancouver Island. The weed grows rapidly, crowding out native plants and posing a fire risk due to its dry branches and high oil content. The best time to cut broom is just as it is starting to bloom, which is usually early May.
City councillor Todd Patola was one of the volunteers at the cutting session, the largest of the season so far. The Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM) last year passed a resolution calling for governments to take better steps to halt the spread of Scotch broom.
The next community cut will take place Saturday, May 11 in the Alberni Inlet Trail parking lot, starting at 9:30 a.m.
For more information email broombustersalberni@gmail.com or go online to www.broombusters.org/alberni-valley or the group’s Facebook page at Broombusters in the Alberni Valley.