They continue to battle marauding invaders.
Members of the Broombusters Invasive Plant Society have been trying to eradicate the spread of Scotch broom around Vancouver Island since 2006.
According to society founder and executive director Joanne Sales, in 2021, more than 600 volunteers came out to cut broom for more 7,000 hours in the region.
B次元官网网址淲hy, itB次元官网网址檚 because we care about the Island,B次元官网网址� said Sales, who indicated that the proliferation of Scotch broom is getting really bad.
B次元官网网址淪cotch broom was recently designated as the worst invasive plant by an assessment report of the Invasive Species Council of BC,B次元官网网址� said Sales. B次元官网网址淏ecause Scotch broom is the invasive species causing the greatest harm to species at risk in B.C.B次元官网网址�
Broom spreads rapidly as a single plant can produce more than 18,000 sees viable for 20 to 40 or more years.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 called the scourge of pasture lands because once it gets into pastures itB次元官网网址檚 almost impossible to get rid of,B次元官网网址� said Sales. B次元官网网址淏rooms grows huge quickly, strangles native species and leads to a dramatic loss of diversity.B次元官网网址�
The brooms dense thickets prevents forest regrowth and is also considered to be a fire hazard.
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B次元官网网址淚t will increase a wildfireB次元官网网址檚 fuel load, escalate the fireB次元官网网址檚 intensity and compromise fire situations,B次元官网网址� said Sales. B次元官网网址淚t makes fire more difficult to fight. ItB次元官网网址檚 like pouring kerosene onto the fire.B次元官网网址�
In a recent presentation to the Regional District of Nanaimo board, she highlighted the many areas where the brooms are spreading and also potential areas where these plants will likely to grow in the years ahead.
B次元官网网址淏roombusters have taken on an impossible task,B次元官网网址� said Sales. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e succeeding in the towns. But the problems created by broom spreading on private land, cleared forest lands and under powerlines are beyond the work of volunteers. We need all levels of government to help.B次元官网网址�
Sales wants the RDN to require private owners, electric and forest companies to be held responsible for keeping their properties clear of Scotch broom.
City of Nanaimo director Leonard Krog suggested itB次元官网网址檚 time the RDN take an aggressive approach to lobby the provincial government to take action and offer funding, though no motion was made.
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