More than 5,000 pounds of Scotch broom, an invasive plant, was airlifted out of Mill Hill Regional Park on Friday.

A helicopter carried eight netted loads off the hill, each load weighed about 1,000 pounds. This is the seventh season for the broom removal program, but something was a bit different this year.

The loads were smaller in volume, but around the same weight as years before.

The plants picked were younger, smaller and denser than before.

Every year the broom-pulling staff dedicate their time to pulling from a new area on the hill, but this year they decided to concentrate on re-growth.

“This year is different because all of our efforts have been targeted towards the re-growth instead of starting in new areas,” said Marilyn Fuchs, Mill Hill restorations project manager for CRD Regional Parks.

In a labour intensive effort, a crew of 12 people spent more than two weeks cutting broom from the Garry oak ecosystems on Mill Hill. Crews snipped broom low to the ground or under the soil, Fuchs said.

“We used to pull broom but disturbed too much soil,” she said. “This year we are cutting with great care.”

Mill Hill ecosystems contain 14 rare plant species such as whitetop aster and purple sanicle. It’s main regional park with an invasive species removal program.

Parks staff have found 203 locations on Mill Hill where rare plant species are at risk.

“Garry Oak ecosystems are one of the most endangered in Canada and

invasive species are threatening their health and integrity,” Fuchs said. “It’s a significant spot to the region, if not provincially and nationally.”

The Mill Hill restoration 10-year plan began in 2002 and won a national award in 2005 for forest stewardship from Wildlife Habitat Canada. Fuchs said they monitor and evaluate broom growth and extraction strategies, but admits its a tough plant to eradicate.

“We have meet some challenges that we didn’t anticipate. The re-growth is quite significant,” Fuchs said.

This year CRD Regional Parks is asking for the community to volunteer their time and pull broom on Oct. 25 and Nov. 1.

To participate call 250-478-3344 and ask for the volunteer co-ordinator or go to www.crd.bc.ca/parks/volunteer for more information.

–With files from Edward Hill

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