Richmondites pulled invasive plants during the first Earth Week event last Saturday – and organizers are inviting the public to another pulling event this weekend.
The Lower Mainland Green Team – which holds various environmental-focused events across Metro Vancouver – is asking Richmond residents to come once again to Terra Nova Rural Park this Saturday to eradicate more invasive Himalayan blackberry bushes.
While blackberries are delicious, the plants are “aggressive” and overtake everything in their path, explained Ashton Kerr, program manager of the Lower Mainland Green Team.
“This limits biodiversity, habitat and food sources for wildlife in seasons when the plant is not fruiting,” Kerr said. “By removing this invasive plant we are creating space for native plants and trees to grow and better support all sorts of wildlife, including birds.”
At Saturday’s event, participants – which included three-year-old Ryan – pulled 24.5 cubic metres of blackberries from Terra Nova Rural Park. This is the equivalent of 153 bathtubs full of invasive plants.
Ryan, who was there with big brothers Brandon, 9, and Devin, 7, also pulled up worms and slugs, Kerr explained.
The mother of the three brothers, Polly Lam, said pulling invasives is a "good education source for our younger generation."
"It's nice to be part of a good cause," she added.
The next event is scheduled for this Saturday, April 22, once again at Terra Nova Rural Park from 9:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Green Team events are done in partnership with Green Teams of Canada, and the City of Richmond.
