Explore Brandywine Falls: Bespoke Market Returns Nov 11-13 for Unique Shopping Experience!
The Sea to Sky Invasive Species Council (SSISC), a local environmental non-profit, partnered with BC Parks and the Community Foundation of Whistler to have educational signs and boot brush stations installed at select trailheads throughout the region.
The three trailhead locations where these signs have been installed, Elfin Lakes, Garibaldi Lake and Brandywine Falls, have seen significant increases in numbers of visitors in recent years.
The signs are designed to educate visitors about the dangers that invasive species pose to the Sea to Sky landscape. “The purpose of the signs is to remind people that invasive plant seeds can hitch a ride on boots, bikes and gear”, pointed out Clare Greenberg, SSISC’s Executive Director.
The boot brush stations aim to encourage visitors to clean their footwear before they head down the trail, in order to minimise the risk of invasive plants spreading along the trail. The trails located at these parks often lead to alpine wildflower meadows.
These sensitive ecosystems are extremely vulnerable to invasive species such as Orange Hawkweed. “Invasive plants, like Orange Hawkweed, are prolific seeders, and are very successful at spreading along hiking and biking trails” explained Greenberg.
“We hope that these signs will increase awareness, reduce the amount of invasive plant seeds making their way up the trails, and in turn help to protect the sensitive ecosystems in these parks”.
