Reader concerned about seed bombs
Is this the most dangerous person in New Westminster? She's a guerilla gardener who plants seed 'bombs' in vacant lots and neglected properties around the city hoping to beautify otherwise decripit areas.
Email
Print
Letter to Editor
Share
Updated: August 14, 2009 3:07 PM
Re: Confessions of a bomb maker (NewsLeader, Aug. 13)
I shall refrain from commenting on the legality of what this “ecoterrorist” is doing; however, as a volunteer with a streamkeeper group that has spent hundreds of hours battling invasive, non-native plant species, I wish the article had stated exactly what is being planted.
“Wildflowers” can be interpreted in many ways—are they native to B.C.? Would it be possible to get some clarification?
As a volunteer with my local business and community association, I also feel it would add an important dimension to the story if we knew whether or not this “ecoterrorist” had approached the city, or private property owners, in a spirit of cooperation before taking this unilateral approach.
Paul Cipywnyk
Burnaby
And, the response
The NewsLeader contacted the “seedbomber” for her response.
All the seeds, she said, were 100 per cent native B.C. seeds purchased from Delta-based Westcoast Seeds. It was a mix called Pacific Northwest Blend, which includes 17 types of annuals and perennials.
“I specifically chose it because they are non-invasive and native to British Columbia,” she said.
“It’s not morning glory, it’s not anything like that.”
As to the question of whether she approached the city, the answer was yes.
The city, unofficially, said they would not rip the wildflowers out. As to property owners, the seedbomber said most of the derelict properties in New West are owned by people outside the country, and often they have little concern for the condition of their land.
“Because what I’m doing is hardly invasive... I just decided to go ahead,” she said.
She added that before she does anything, she consults a certified horticultural technician.
—Editor
v2
