May is Invasive Plant Removal Month

Residents invited to participate in protecting Nanaimo's native plants

NEWS RELEASE - Distributed April 27, 2026 10:32 AM

Summary

The signs of spring are everywhere, including native blooms like Fawn Lilies, Camas and Sea Blush.

It is that time of year when the City of Nanaimo partners with community groups and the public for invasive plant removal in our parks as part of Invasive Plant Removal Month in May. At the end of the month, the City will be offering a Drop Zone where homeowners can get rid of their invasive plants for safe disposal as a way to encourage and raise awareness of the impact these can have in our parks and natural areas.

Invasive plants have the potential to negatively impact local ecosystems. Plants, such as English Ivy, Scotch Broom and Himalayan Blackberry, are well established in Nanaimo while others, such as Knotweed and Giant Hogweed, are relatively new but can have severe negative impacts on residents and infrastructure. Volunteer work parties with City staff take place at various locations throughout the City, including Colliery Dam Park, Linley Point Gyro Park, Neck Point Park, Pipers Lagoon Park and Bowen Park.

The City of Nanaimo would like to thank Broombusters who have been cutting broom along local roads and greenspaces. Evidence of their hard work can be found along corridors around the City where piles of cut broom are waiting to be disposed of. These will be chipped and removed in the upcoming month once the broom cutting season is complete and these piles of broom have dried enough to be successfully chipped. This year marks their 50th year of Broombusters as a group in our area and in other communities on the Island. They are always seeking new volunteers to join them.

Those who are interested in participating in scheduled work parties or would like to coordinate one on their own, can register through the City website or call 250-756-5200 for more information. The annual Drop Zone will take place on Saturday, May 30, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Bowen Park (off of Wall Street). The City of Nanaimo is grateful for those helping to maintain our natural areas and restoring the integrity of our native ecology.

Link to Strategic Plan: Invasive species control falls under "A Green Nanaimo" from Nanaimo ReImagined: City Plan which prioritizes and protects Nanaimo's environment.

Key Points

Residents are invited to participate in work parties to remove invasive plants in our parks and open spaces and are encouraged to avoid buying invasive plants when they purchase greenery for their yards and gardens.
Residents can drop off invasive plants they have removed from their property at the upcoming Drop Zone on Saturday, May 30, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Bowen Park (off Wall Street).

Quotes

"As we approach the start of Invasive Species Action Month, the City of Nanaimo would like to acknowledge all the hard work of our volunteers working in our parks, greenspaces and boulevards to tackle invasive plants trying to invade our community. Thank you for helping to make a difference!"

Leonard Krog

Mayor

City of Nanaimo

Quick Facts

This year marks 50 years of Broombusters in our community. This group has been an integral part of Broom removal in Nanaimo and on the Island.
Broombusters Invasive Plant Society is a registered non-profit society in British Columbia, BC, Canada. Their mission is to educate and empower communities to contain the spread of Scotch Broom.