The Sea to Sky Invasive Species Council (SSISC) is bringing its Banish Burdock program to Pemberton for the first time, calling on residents to help dig out one of the region’s most persistent invasive plants.
The community event will take place Monday, Sept. 15, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., with volunteers meeting at the Pemberton Secondary School parking lot. Families are welcome to attend, and no prior experience is required.
“Every bit of help makes a difference,” SSISC said in its event announcement. “Nothing beats the satisfaction of pulling those roots out and knowing you’ve made a real impact.”
Participants will work together to uproot common burdock (Arctium minus), a plant known for its long, carrot-like taproots and its stubborn seed burrs that cling to clothing, animal fur and outdoor gear.
Volunteers are asked to bring water bottles, gardening gloves and weather-appropriate clothing. Shovels will be provided, but attendees are encouraged to bring their own.
Prizes, including vouchers from Peaked Pies and a gift card from Armchair Books, will also be given out as a thank-you to participants.
Common burdock, native to Europe, has spread widely in the Sea to Sky corridor since it was first introduced to North America in the 1600s. The plant thrives in disturbed soils along roadsides, trails and open spaces, often growing into dense shrubs up to three metres tall.
Its broad, heart-shaped leaves shade out native vegetation and release chemicals that suppress the growth of surrounding plants. Each burdock can produce up to 16,000 seeds per plant, allowing it to spread quickly.
The burs, which reportedly inspired the invention of Velcro, are more than just a nuisance. They can entangle birds and bats, damage livestock by clumping in wool and fur, and contribute to crop diseases like powdery mildew and root rot.
The SSISC asks volunteers to RSVP via the Facebook event page, here.
