Learn more about Scotch Broom
Weed wrenches used to remove Scotch Broom can be borrowed after April 28, 2012 from the Fire Safe Council of Nevada County. Download an application to borrow a weed wrench or stop by the Fire Safe Council of Nevada County’s office at 139 E. Main Street in downtown Grass Valley. It is advisable to call 530-272-1122 first to check on availability of the weed wrenches and office hours.
Check out this time lasped video of Marin County tackling their French and Scotch Broom.
Then scroll down to view upcoming opportunities to get together with others from our community and tackle the local Scotch Broom Challenge.
Upcoming Scotch Broom Challenges
Volunteers Wanted
For more information or to volunteer please call 530-272-1122 or send an email to info@areyoufiresafe.com
The Scotch Broom Challenge was created in 2007 to address the spread of this highly flammable and invasive plant in our community. The Scotch Broom Challenge started with just a few sites in Nevada County. In the spring of 2011 over 250 volunteers took the Scotch Broom Challenge and pulled broom at 17 sites throughout Nevada County and Placer County.
This year local groups and agencies are once again teaming up to pull Scotch broom at the sites listed below and we are looking for volunteers from the community who want to come out and join us. The Scotch Broom Challenge pulls are generally from 9 am to 12 pm, unless otherwise stated. No experience is necessary and we provide the equipment and supplies.
Bring your family and friends, pick a site and participate in one of Nevada County's most fun and satisfying challenges.
Upcoming Scotch Broom Challenge Sites
Thank you to all of our 2012 Scotch Broom Challenge site hosts and volunteers. Weed Wrenches are now available to borrow from the Fire Safe Council. Check back in early 2013 for next year’s Scotch Broom Challenge dates.
Ongoing Scotch Broom Challenges:
Mountain Lakes Estate HOA
Lake Wildwood HOA
Alta Sierra HOA
If you live in one of these homeowner association's please contact your homeowner’s association for more information on how you can get involved with the Scotch Broom Challenge in you neighborhood.
Past Scotch Broom Challenge Sites
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Tyler Foote Road, North San Juan
North San Juan Fire District
Help make one of the primary evacuation routes for the North San Juan Ridge area safe, along Tyler Foote Road, starting near the Fire Station that would be used as a key staging area during a fire. A great chance to learn how to remove Scotch broom effectively. Project site coordinators are Jo Ann and Rusty Kauffman. To volunteer on this site or any other site please register with the Fire Safe Council of Nevada County by either sending an email or by calling 530-272-1122.
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Burton House
Bear Yuba Land Trust
Located on Lake Vera Purdon Rd in Nevada City, this preserve is owned by the Bear Yuba Land Trust. The approx 40 acre site is home to a community garden, Food Love Project, a Maidu educational center complete with bark huts and an outdoor education program led by Rick Berry and his Fox Trotters. Project coordinator Allison Dawson. To volunteer on this site or any other site please register with the Fire Safe Council of Nevada County by either sending an email or by calling 530-272-1122.
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Hell's Half Acre
Red Bud Chapter CNPS
Work continues to remove broom from Hell’s Half Acre which is a unique biological site and is currently used by the Red Bud Chapter of the California Native Plant Society for education and restoration of native plant species. This site is located immediately adjacent to Twin Cities Church off the Rough & Ready Highway just outside Grass Valley. Volunteers are meeting on the corner of Adam Ave and Rough & Ready Hwy. This project site is sponsored by the Red Bud Chapter of CNPS. Project site coordinators is Bill Wilson. To volunteer on this site or any other site please register with the Fire Safe Council of Nevada County by either sending an email or by calling 530-272-1122.
Saturday, March 10, 2012
North Star Mine House
Bear Yuba Land Trust
Located on Auburn Road just beyond the Fairgrounds, the North Star House in owned by the Bear Yuba Land Trust and hosts a variety of events including a weekly summer Grower’s Market and the Stars at North Star Concert. Project coordinator Allison Dawson. Please register with the Fire Safe Council of Nevada County to volunteer on this site or any other site. To volunteer on this site or any other site please register with the Fire Safe Council of Nevada County by either sending an email or by calling 530-272-1122.
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Wolf Creek at Wolf Creek Road
Wolf Creek Community Alliance
This is the fourth year for this site and we’ve nearly accomplished our goal. We will be addressing re-sprouting from prior pulling efforts. Consideration for re-vegetation of this site is being evaluated. This site is sponsored by the Wolf Creek Community Alliance. Project site coordinator is BJ Schmitt. To volunteer on this site or any other site please register with the Fire Safe Council of Nevada County by either sending an email or by calling 530-272-1122.
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Woodpecker
Bear Yuba Land Trust
Woodpecker Wildlife Preserve is located on Banner Mountain just off Gracie Road. It is a 28 acre preserve owned by the Bear Yuba Land Trust. There are public trails on the preserve that are actively used by the community. This preserve overlooks Nevada City and is a wonderful resource for bird watchers, mountain bikers and hiking enthusiasts. The project site coordinator Allison Dawson. To volunteer on this site or any other site please register with the Fire Safe Council of Nevada County by either sending an email or by calling 530-272-1122.
Moved to April 14, 2012 due to rain
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Oak Tree Park, North San Juan
Friends of Oak Tree Park
New work began last year at the site of the Oak Tree community park. Work will continue at this site in order to control the existing broom and reclaim land lost to dense infestations. This site is sponsored by the Friends of Oak Tree Park. The project site coordinator Lisa Rowe Greenway. To volunteer on this site or any other site please register with the Fire Safe Council of Nevada County by either sending an email or by calling 530-272-1122.
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Dutch Flat, Near the Town of Dutch Flat
Placer Sierra Fire Safe Council
This year the Scotch Broom Challenge has spread to Placer County! We’re excited to see the Challenge spread into Placer County where they also experience a high infestation of broom and a high wildfire danger. This site is sponsored by the Placer Sierra Fire Safe Council. Project site coordinator is Karina Silvas-Bellanca. To volunteer on this site or any other site please register with the Fire Safe Council of Nevada County by either sending an email or by calling 530-272-1122.
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Hirschman Pond Trail Access
Bear Yuba Land Trust
Hirschman Trail is located just off of Cement Hill road with another trailhead located on Indian Flat road. This trail is owned by Nevada City and was constructed on contract by Bear Yuba Land Trust. Volunteers will be meeting at both trail heads to work on the Scotch Broom Challenge. Project coordinator Allison Dawson. To volunteer on this site or any other site please register with the Fire Safe Council of Nevada County by either sending an email or by calling 530-272-1122.
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Oak Tree Park, North San Juan
Oak Tree Park District & Friends of Oak Tree Park
New work was begun last year at the site of the Oak Tree community park. Work will continue at this site in order to control the existing broom and reclaim land lost to dense infestations. This site is sponsored by the Oak Tree Park District & Friends of Oak Tree Park. The project site coordinator Grant Wayman. To volunteer on this site or any other site please register with the Fire Safe Council of Nevada County by either sending an email or by calling 530-272-1122. This site was rescheduled from March 17, 2012 to April 14, 2012 becuase of rain.
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Gracie Rd, Nevada City
Banner Mountain HOA
This is the third year for this site working to remove the infestation of broom along the roadway. Meeting site is Mini Mania parking lot along Gold Flat Road. This project site is sponsored by the Banner Mountain Homeowner’s Association as part of their Firewise Community program. Project site coordinator is Chuck Staetz and Helene Hall. To volunteer on this site or any other site please register with the Fire Safe Council of Nevada County by either sending an email or by calling 530-272-1122.
Sunday, April 22, 2012
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a lunch break from 12-1
Canyon View Preserve, Auburn
Placer Land Trust
The Scotch Broom Challenge has spread to Placer County! Canyon View is a 50 acre preserve north of Auburn that protects grassland and canyon rim land. After the completion of an interpretive trail, visitors to this unique space will be able to see native pollinator plants and healthy riparian habitat. To accomplish this, we need help removing a large stand of invasive French Broom, which poses a fire risk and crowds out native plants. To get to the trail head take I-80 to exit 122 for Bowman. Turn right onto Undercrossing road, right again on Lincoln way, take the first left onto Sierra Sunrise Way, and the next left is Harlequin way where you can park. Project coordinators are Briana Parsons, Kiri Ando and Jeff Ward. To volunteer on this site or any other site please register with the Fire Safe Council of Nevada County by either sending an email or by calling 530-272-1122.
Saturday, March 3, 2012 & March 4, 2012
Champion Mine Road
Greater Champion Mine Neighborhood Association
Work continues along Champion Mine Road sponsored by the Greater Champion Mine Neighborhood Association. Nevada Irrigation District is now collaborating on removal of broom in the ditch. The work parties are both days. Project site coordinator is Frances Jorgensen. To volunteer on this site or any other site please register with the Fire Safe Council of Nevada County by either sending an email or by calling 530-272-1122.
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Alan Thiesen/Adam Ryan Easement
Bear Yuba Land Trust
This preserve is located in Alta Sierra where Dog Bar road and Alta Sierra drive meet. The 40 acre preserve is now owned by Bear Yuba Land Trust. There is a 1 mile loop trail that is open to the public. The Scotch Broom Challenge has been happening on this preserve for the past two years with great results. Project coordinator Allison Dawson. To volunteer on this site or any other site please register with the Fire Safe Council of Nevada County by either sending an email or by calling 530-272-1122.
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Sugar Loaf Mountain, Nevada City
Sierra Nevada Group of the Sierra Club
Sugar Loaf Mountain was a brand new Scotch Broom Challenge Site last year. This spring pull is being sponsored by Sierra Nevada Group of the Sierra Group. Project site coordinator is Rick Ramos. To volunteer on this site or any other site please register with the Fire Safe Council of Nevada County by either sending an email or by calling 530-272-1122.
