For over a decade, a small but mighty patch of land across from the Kootenay Gallery, across Highway 3A from the Castlegar airport, has been the site of something pretty amazing: community-driven invasive plant removal.
Thanks to the dedication of local volunteers and students from schools like Twin Rivers Elementary, we’ve been working hard to remove invasive species like Scotch broom and spotted knapweed from this site. And this spring, we’re thrilled to share some big news: we found zero mature Scotch broom plants!
Only a few small shoots remained, and thanks to the sharp eyes and hard work of the youth volunteers, those were successfully hand-pulled, just as they should be when small. The only larger plants we found were old and woody, remnants of past invasions, and they’ve now been properly disposed of (in a tightly wrapped tarp “burrito,” of course!) at the Ootischenia landfill. All told, we removed about 10 kg of invasive plant material this year.
This is a huge success; especially with a plant as persistent as Scotch broom.
Why is Scotch broom a problem?
Scotch broom is highly invasive and displaces native vegetation, reduces biodiversity, and increases wildfire risk by creating dense, flammable thickets. It’s especially harmful in open habitats, grasslands, and roadsides—exactly the kind of areas we’ve been working to protect in Castlegar.
How does it spread?
Each plant can produce thousands of seeds per year, and those seeds can stay viable in the soil for up to 30 years. Seeds can spread by wind, vehicles, animals, and soil movement, making early removal crucial.
How do we manage it?
Cut it in bloom! The best time to cut mature Scotch broom is during flowering, when the plant is using up its energy and has not yet produced seeds.
Hand-pull small plants, like we did this year, especially when the ground is moist.
Never cut after seed pods have formed or you’ll risk spreading seeds.
Always dispose of it properly, plants should be bagged or wrapped in a tarp to prevent seed spread and taken to the landfill (never composted!).
A heartfelt thank you goes out to every volunteer who has joined us over the years, and to the Kootenay Gallery for being a welcoming host each season.
We also gratefully acknowledge the Regional District of Central Kootenay for funding these Community and Youth Pulling Together events over the past decade.
Together, we’ve shown that long-term commitment, education, and community spirit really can make a difference; one weed pull at a time.
CKISS gratefully acknowledges Columbia Basin Trust, The Government of BC and the Regional District of Central Kootenay for supporting these events and the Education Program.