Our Education & Outreach team fancy themselves part of the Field Crew after this week… and we don’t blame them! One week, three sites, three invasive species and many bags of weeds later, let’s see what they got up to.
Whistler Volunteer Activity
Whistler Volunteer Day was our first event of the week. Volunteers met at the Train Wreck Trailhead in Cheakamus after the heat of the day had died down slightly.
We worked under the welcomed shade of the forest, picking Smallflower Touch-Me-Not, chatting to passersby and greeting dogs. Conversations generally started with either ‘What are you doing?’ ‘Why are they called Touch-Me-Nots?’ and ‘Is this the way to the train wreck?’
Small Flower Touch-Me-Not produces seed capsules that ‘explode’ and project their seeds when touched (hence their name!).
What were we doing?
We aimed to remove the monoculture of invasive Smallflower Touch-me-Not growing along the trail. Many boots and paws walk down this beautiful trail each day. Unfortunately, some boots and paws accidentally pick up seeds and carry them to new habitats. By removing the plants closest to the trail, we hope to reduce the risk of these invasive plants spreading further.
Why are they called Touch-Me-Nots?
On this day, we were obviously not following the ‘touch-me-not’ recommendation. So it’s easy to understand why people were questioning our sanity!
The ‘Touch-Me-Not’ part of this flower’s name refers to the seed capsules. Smallflower Touch-Me-Not produces seed capsules that ‘explode’ when touched, ejecting its seeds. One plant can produce 2000 – 10,000 seeds, which can remain viable in the soil for 3 years. Yet another reason to clear the trail of these invasive flowers.
Is this the way to the train wreck?
That question clearly wasn’t related to our work, but we always happy to chat to with visitors and confirm that they are headed in the right direction.
We worked under the shelter of the woods picking Small Flower Touch-Me-Not.
Friends of Garibaldi Park
Friends don’t let friends spread invasive plants through provincial parks. That’s one of (our many) mottos at SSISC, and it turns out the Friends of Garibaldi Park agree!
On Saturday July 13th, SSISC and the Friends of Garibaldi Park hosted an invasive species talk and weed pull at the Rubble Creek Trailhead. Sara had a fabulous morning removing invasive Oxeye Daisy with a group of lovely volunteers. Meanwhile, Becky enjoyed speaking with passing hikers about protecting native habitats from common invasives.
SSISC and the Friend of Garibaldi Park hosted an invasive species talk and weed pull.
Banish Burdock Buddies
Burdock doesn’t stand a chance when you’ve got volunteers like ours! On Monday, July 15, the folks of Banish Burdock met up for a collective burdock ‘banishing session’ at Bayly Park, in Whistler.
Leslie Anthony, the Chair of SSISC’s Board of Directors and burdock banisher-in-chief, directed us to a path of lupins and native grasses that was dotted with common burdock. This path was previously overgrown with burdock, but thanks to the efforts of volunteers, only a few burdock plants remain. We spent the afternoon clearing out the last of them.
If you would like to join the Banish Burdock team head to the link below.
Can we interest you?
We have had the best week working alongside lots of lovely Sea to Sky volunteers. Let’s keep the good times rolling. We have so many more amazing events in the corridor this summer and guess what? You’re invited! If you would like to get in on the action, check our upcoming events page.
Sydney, Sara and Becky removing Burdock.
Thank you to our sponsors
We also thank our funders, including the Whistler Community Foundation, the Squamish Community Foundation, and the BC Hydro Grassroots Grant. Our weed pulls and community events are made possible in part by their generous contributions.
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