Join Midpen staff for a fun workday removing invasive French broom at Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve. Staff will provide training on plant identification, removal techniques, and information about why we want to remove French broom from our local landscape. This project is an excellent opportunity for first-time volunteers! 

French broom is native to Europe and was introduced as an ornamental landscape plant. As French broom escaped into wildland habitats it has altered the landscape by forming dense monocultures which prevent native species from thriving. A single French broom may produce up to 10,000 seeds per year which can persist in the soil for over 20 years. During wildfires tall French broom plants act as “ladder fuel”, carrying flames from the ground up into the tree canopy where fire can spread more quickly. Removing French broom helps reduce wildland fire fuels and encourages the growth of native plants.

For more project details, vaccine requirements, and what you’ll need to bring, click here.

Site supervisor: Ellen Gartside, egartside@openspace.org

Photo: Mahmoud Hashemi, Flickr