On wrapping up their 10th season, Broombusters’ Joanne Sales highlighted specific successes and areas that could use more work.
Following their July 6 annual general meeting, Sales pointed to volunteers completing three years work on a five-acre site in Comox that included broom so large power saws were required, leaving a wild meadow of grasses, roses, blackberries and walking trails.
In Campbell River, the Rotary Club organized cuts with 40-50 volunteers who have made huge progress on public land, but need more work on private land. She singled out Raven Industries as a good example of a business taking responsibility.
In Qualicum Beach, the original home of the group which now covers much of the Island, Sales praised the work of longtime volunteer, town councillor Neil Horner, who led the town’s May 6 Broomfest which drew 50 people to cut broom. The town also funded videos and is working on meeting with other government organizations.
In Parksville, 50 people attended a big community cut, including the mayor, a councillor and goats.
In Port Alberni, the Alberni Deep Space Port Star Trek Fan Association continued battling their local alien invader, but it turned out the community cuts have not been great and there are a lot of areas left to do.
In North Cowichan, the Kiwanis Club, led by two RCMP officers who are members, did a lot of work and other efforts are going strong in Lantzville, Maple Bay, Chemainus and Ladysmith (with council support).
Some areas that need more attention are North Qualicum and Meadowood. While there was a lot of work done around Nanaimo, there is much more to do.
The group elected a new board consisting of Richard Sales, Alannah Howard, Nancy Goldsberry, Bev Agur and Janet Hepenstall.
For more information e-mail info@broombuters.org, or call
250-752-4816.
