A Savary Island resident is working to protect the island’s sand dunes, one broom bush at a time.
Liz Webster, Savary Island Land Trust president, is organizing a broom bash in cooperation with the South Coast Conservation program this October.
“Broom is very invasive,” said Webster. “The main objective is to try to keep the rare sand dune ecosystem free of broom.”
Yellow-flowered Scotch broom is a widespread invasive species all over BC. Aside from displacing native plant species, it also presents an increase wildfire risk, which is a concern on drought-plagued Savary.
This will be the third annual broom bash on Savary’s sand dunes.
According to Tamsin Baker, stewardship coordinator with the South Coast Conservation program, Savary is one of two areas, along with the Thrormanby Islands, to support sand dune ecosystems with a unique variety of plant and animal life, including endangered and rare plant species such as contorted-pod evening-primrose or grey beach peavine.
“Erosion has been a concern for residents,” said Baker. “However, native grass species, such as dune wild rye or large-headed sedge, do much the same job [as broom] while supporting native wildlife.”
This year’s Savary Island broom bash is scheduled after Thanksgiving. For more information, readers can contact Webster at [email protected].
