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There’s an invasive plant in your neighbourhood. Who you gonna call?
Broombusters!
This year marks the 20th anniversary of Broombusters on Vancouver Island and I was able to drop by its first local work party of the year in Nanaimo’s Lotus Pinnatus Park.
The volunteer organization has been removing invasive Scotch broom from Vancouver Island communities since 2006 and while there is still a long way to go in controlling it, the impact of its work is being seen in communities up and down the Island.
For those of you who are not already familiar with Scotch broom, it’s worth knowing. The invasive shrub threatens biodiversity as it crowds out other native plants and poses an increased wildfire risk when it dries out in the hot summer months.
Read about what Broombusters, and the City of Nanaimo, are doing to control invasive plants in our city in my story below and check out some of the opportunities to get involved this spring.
Thank you for reading, Mick Sweetman
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| Broombusters celebrates 20 years of removing Scotch broom on Vancouver Island | This volunteer organization is removing invasive species to reduce wildfire risk and protect biodiversity.
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| Read the full story
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“Great to be keeping in touch. I sent $50 towards your costs.”
— Michael, a supporter of The Discourse Nanaimo
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| | On the Island |
| What’s in the Cowichan Valley Regional District’s draft comprehensive zoning bylaw?
| The Discourse takes a deep dive into the 322-page document that combines nine existing zoning bylaws into one.
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| Read the full story
| | Council corner
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The next regular city council meeting will be held on Monday, April 13 at 7 p.m. in the Vancouver Island Conference Centre’s Shaw Auditorium.
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In other news |
👉 The Regional District of Nanaimo is looking make transit free for youth under 18 years of age. After presentations by local high-school students, the RDN Committee of the Whole passed a motion to implement a “fair free transit program” for youth that will go to the RDN board meeting on April 14. The Gabriola Sounder has the story.
👉 As you drive down some of Nanaimo’s streets you may spot new banners featuring iconic arbutus trees, which were designed by Grade 11 student Solana Van de Leur. You can see the banners and listen to the story about the youngest artist to be chosen to design Nanaimo’s street banners on CHLY 101.7FM.
👉 An actress best known for her role on The Walking Dead is now fighting to stop development adjacent to Cable Bay Trail. Sarah Wayne Callies, who played Lori Grimes in The Walking Dead, stars in a video filmed at Dodd Narrows. A rezoning proposal to change land west of the trail from Rural Resource to Industrial goes to a public hearing next week. The Nanaimo News Bulletin has the story
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| | Have your say |
📣 Transport Canada is conducting a survey about how headlight glare is affecting drivers at night. The survey is anonymous and takes 15 minutes to complete. You can fill out the survey until April 20.
| | In your words
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Re: At the centre of Nanaimo’s all-ages punk scene
Hi Mick,
I just wanted to say thank you for this story. I didn’t expect to bawl my eyes out at a story about young people at a punk show, but here we are! The kids really are going to be alright…
With endless appreciation & gratitude for the work that you do,
Sarah Lovegrove, RN
Do you have something to say about our coverage or about something in Nanaimo? We accept short (100 words maximum) letters that we may print in an upcoming newsletter. Letters may be edited for length and style. Email nanaimo@thediscourse.ca with "letter to the editor" in the subject line.
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