May is Invasive Plant Removal Month

Residents invited to participate in protecting Nanaimo's native plants

NEWS RELEASE - Distributed May 27, 2024 1:13 PM

Summary

The signs of spring are everywhere, including native blooms like Fawn Lilies, Camas and Sea Blush.

It is time once again that the City of Nanaimo partners with many community groups on invasive plant removal in our parks and offers a "drop zone" where invasive plants from homeowners can be disposed of as a way to encourage and raise awareness of the impact in our parks and natural areas.

Invasive plants have the potential to negatively impact local ecosystems. Plants, such as English Ivy, Scotch Broom and Himalayan Blackberry are well established in Nanaimo while others, such as Knotweed and Giant Hogweed are relatively new but can have severe negative impacts on residents and infrastructure. Volunteer work parties with City staff take place at various locations throughout the City, including Linley Valley Park, Bowen Park, Third Street Park and Pipers Lagoon Park. Additionally, residents who remove invasive plants from their own property can bring them to the drop zone on June 1 for safe disposal.

The City of Nanaimo would like to thank Broombusters who have been cutting broom along local roads and greenspaces. Evidence of their hard work can be found along corridors around the city where piles of cut broom are waiting to be disposed of. These will be chipped and removed in the upcoming month once the broom cutting season is complete and these piles of broom have dried enough to be successfully chipped.

If you are interested in participating in scheduled work parties or would like to coordinate one on your own, please register through the City website or call 250-756-5200 for more information. The annual drop zone will take place on Saturday, June 1, 10 am to 2 pm at Bowen Park (off of Wall Street). The City of Nanaimo is grateful for those helping to maintain our natural areas and restoring the integrity of our native ecology.

Link to Strategic Plan: Invasive species control falls under Environmental Responsibility.

Key Points

Residents are invited to participate in work parties to remove invasive plants in our parks and open spaces and are encouraged to avoid buying invasive plants when they purchase greenery for their yards and gardens.
Residents can drop off invasive plants they have removed from their property at the upcoming Drop Zone on Saturday, June 1, 10 am to 2 pm at Bowen Park (off Wall Street).

Quotes

"As we near the end of Invasive Species Action Month, the City of Nanaimo would like to acknowledge all the hard work of our volunteers working in our parks, greenspaces and boulevards to tackle invasive plants trying to invade our community. Thank you for helping to make a difference!"

Leonard Krog

Mayor

City of Nanaimo

Images

Cutting Broom in Nanaimo's parks and open spaces

Contact:

For media enquiries, please contact

Communications

City of Nanaimo

250-754-4251

Media.Requests@nanaimo.ca

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