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Banish Burdock is back for 2024! Over the past few years, our volunteers have made tremendous progress in battling Burdock along the Valley Trail, but we are not done yet. We have added some additional trail segments and patches on public land that we need your help with to…. Banish Burdock!
We invite you, the Whistler community, to banish Burdock from your neighbourhood. As participants, you can form a team with your family, friends, roommates or co-workers, and help protect Whistler’s biodiversity!
Committing to Banish Burdock means that you will be responsible for keeping a short segment of trail, or a small area of public land, free of Burdock for the length of the season (until the end of September). In doing so, you will help stop the spread of invasive species, keep our pets bur-free and get a little fresh air while you are at it!
Head to the map and click on the section you wish to adopt for the summer. Head to ‘Adopt Link’ and click ‘View’. You’ll be redirected to a quick online form. Fill it out and we’ll be in contact!
About the map
This map includes a select subset of trail segments and other areas of public land where we have identified a need for Common Burdock to be controlled by volunteers.
It is not intended to represent the entire distribution of Burdock in Whistler: it is well established in many areas along the Valley Trail, on private land, in parks, etc.
Along the same lines, volunteers are not the only people who are controlling Burdock in Whistler. Many others, such as SSISC staff and RMOW staff, are also responsible for tackling some of these infestations.
Want to tackle burdock beyond the patches mapped here?
We’d love to support you! Please contact us so we can discuss what can be arranged.
About the map…
This map includes a select subset of trail segments and other areas of public land where we have identified a need for Common Burdock to be controlled by volunteers.
It is not intended to represent the entire distribution of Burdock in Whistler: it is well established in many areas along the Valley Trail, on private land, in parks, etc.
Along the same lines, volunteers are not the only people who are controlling Burdock in Whistler. Many others, such as SSISC staff and RMOW staff, are also responsible for tackling some of these infestations.
Want to tackle burdock beyond the patches mapped here?
We’d love to support you! Please contact us so we can discuss what can be arranged.
How Do I…
… Control Burdock?
- Remove the entire taproot by digging it up.
- Simply cutting the stems above the ground will not control the plant. If the taproot is not removed, the plant will likely grow back and develop flowers and seeds.
- Remove all plant material from the site to avoid Burdock’s allelopathic effects.
- Lastly, remove all seedheads, including previous years’.
… Dispose of Burdock?
- If flowering heads or burs are present, please cut the stems to remove these parts from the rest of the plant.
- Bag all plant parts (including seeds, stems, leaves and roots) and dispose of them in the household/general waste stream at any of the transfer stations.
- Do not place them in the compost bin, as the seeds will persist through the composting process.
@ssinvasivesGetting ready for Banish Burdock season!♬ original sound – Sea to Sky Invasives
Thank you to our sponsors!
Feeling lucky?
At the end of the season, Banish Burdock volunteers will be entered into a draw, and run the chance to win several draw prizes.
Prizes were graciously donated by the following businesses (thank you!):
Does your business want to support Banish Burdock?
If you own or manage a local company and you want to support Banish Burdock, we’d love to work together!
Please email us (claude-anne@ssisc.ca) and explain briefly how you view your contribution. We’ll be happy to work with you!
We are currently seeking small in-kind donations that will be used as thank-you prizes for program participants. Your generosity is deeply appreciated, and we thank you for the consideration.
Banish Burdock is made possible by the support of:
