ABOUT BROOMBUSTERS: Broombusters has a single simple mission - to control the spread of Scotch Broom.

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Background
Broombusters is a grassroots organization which was started in 2006 in response to community’s growing concern about the spread of the aggressive invasive species, Scotch broom on Vancouver Island and lower BC.

Broombusters purpose is to:
• Limit the spread of Scotch broom; prevent new infestations.
• Inspire and offer opportunities for community involvement and environmental stewardship
• Serve as a liaison between government, media, communities and individuals
• Provide information, publicity, a website, tools and support to anyone wanting to help control the spread of Scotch broom.

Broombusters began in May 2006.
An enthusiastic response by towns, ministries and community was immediate.
In 2006, several major roadways, primarily in Qualicum Beach, were cleared of broom In 2007, the participation expanded to over 100 volunteers with over 1000 volunteer hours, working on the roads from Nanoose to Port Alberni to Bowser.
In 2006, the Town of Qualicum Beach and the Ministry of Transportation set the example of supporting Broombusters with donations of tools, chipping trucks and crew. In 2007, Parksville and Port Alberni also got involved. Many individuals and neighbors took advantage of the Ministry of Transportation’s commitment to chip any broom cut along their roads.
The primary role of Broombusters is education. Because of the visible work of Broombusters, countless numbers of individuals privately cleared their own land and roads of broom. We noticed the work of “broom brownies” everywhere, with piles of broom cut beside the road - and we’ll never know who did the work! That is our goal - an active and supported community, independently taking on the environmental stewardship of the Vancouver Island.

Who are these Broombusters?
High school and middle school students. Home schoolers. Retirees. Farmers and town folks. Garden club members and environmentalists. Teachers. The mayor! Town council members. People who live in mobile homes and those who live in estates. From age 3 to 89. Anyone and everyone is welcome to participate. Many have expressed how welcome they felt, for there are no “social distinctions” among those with loppers in hand and a common intent. Neighbors who previously did not know each other begin to talk and work together. It’s a real community builder!

How does Broombusters work?
For 8 weeks each year, while Scotch broom is in bloom, Broombusters hit the roads and fields with loppers in hand, to cut down broom. When cut down in bloom, Scotch broom plants usually die, and the flowers are prevented from going to seed.
Broombusters publicizes “the broom situation.” Towns, neighbors or individuals contact Broombusters, and choose areas and roads that they want to clear. Group cuts are planned and publicized. On the day of the group cut, Broombusters bring tools, demonstrates how to do it, and the volunteers are off and running.
Some roads are chosen as “Cut Anytime Roads,” which means that anyone can cut and pile the broom along these roads whenever they have time, and it will later be cleared by the town or Ministry of Transportation.

Is it hard to cut broom?
Scotch Broom is a woody weed, whose truck can grow to several inches in diameter. However, the wood is soft and can usually be cut with long handled loppers. Unless it is very large, cutting and moving the broom is usually not a problem. Broombusters does not pull broom or dig into the soil.

Where have Broombusters been working?
One of the catalyzsts for the start of Broombusters was the Town of Qualicum Beach who said they didn’t have the manpower to remove the 6 foot tall broom that lined Village Way for many years. Broombuster founder Joanne Sales asked, “If you can’t do it, can we? Will you help us?” The answer was an enthusiastic YES! Now so many volunteers have become active in Qualicum Beach that the roads and parks will become broom free again in a few years.
It is difficult to show the success of people who have removed Scotch broom - because once removed, the area looks normal and healthy! One would have to see the area before the broom is cut to see what a difference broom removal makes. If you don’t see Scotch broom along a section of road, it’s probably because someone has been at work. If you do see Scotch broom, it means that the people in that neighborhood need inspiration, tools, education and help! That is why Broombusters is here.

Here is a list of a few areas where broombusters have cleared broom.
Qualicum: Memorial Road in 2006; In 2007, Village Way, Claymore, sections of Rupert, Arrowsmith Elementary, Civic Center and Park. In 2008-9, around the Dog Park, airport, and on the Old Land Fill.
Nanoose: Northwest Bay Road
Parksville: Along Alberni Hwy and near Craig Heritage Museum and Visitor’s Center.
Coombs & Errington: Sections of Errington Road, Grafton, Price & Coombs Roads.
Port Alberni: The hill by the hospital, and more.
Bowser & Deep Bay: Here and there. They are the newest group to Broombusters.