Learn more about Scotch Broom
Weed wrenches used to remove Scotch Broom can be borrowed May to mid February 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.
2013 Scotch Broom Challenge is kicking off January 26, 2013
If you would like to be part of the core team or volunteer please call 530-272-1122 or send us an email.
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, use our online sign up form or send an email
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 2012 over 250 volunteers took the Scotch Broom Challenge and pulled broom at 21 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
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Adam Ryan Easement
Greater Alta Sierra Firewise Community & ASPOA Trails Committee
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 four years with great results. This site is sponsored by Greater Alta Sierra Firewise Community and ASPOA Trails Committee. The site coordinator is Joanne Drummond. To volunteer on this site or any other site, please register with the Fire Safe Council of Nevada County by either registering online or by calling 530-272-1122.
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Hoyts Crossing
South Yuba River Citizens League
The South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL) has been working to protect and restore the Yuba watershed for 30 years. In SYRCL’s new strategic plan, we have prioritized the removal of invasive weeds along the South Yuba corridor. SYRCL has adopted a riparian enhancement site at Hoyt’s Crossing on the Bureau of Land Management’s land and is excited to partner with the Scotch Broom Challenge to begin eradication at this popular recreation site. Come join and help SYRCL kick off our new site by removing this pesky weed along the South Yuba River! This site is sponsored by South Yuba River Citizens League. The site coordinator is Adele Rife. To volunteer on this site or any other site, please register with the Fire Safe Council of Nevada County by either registering online or by calling 530-272-1122.
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Nevada County Airport, Grass Valley
Nevada County Airport
Areas adjacent to ramps, taxiways and the runway are in need of Scotch Broom removal. The Nevada County Airport is located at 13083 John Bauer Ave, Grass Valley. To volunteer on this site or any other site please, register with the Fire Safe Council of Nevada County by either registering online or by calling 530-272-1122.
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, April 20, 2013
Meadow Vista
Michelle Hamil
Placer/Sugar Pine Roads. This site is on undeveloped land to the South/East of Placer Hills & Sugar Pine intersections. Site coordinator is Michelle Hamil. To volunteer on this site or any other site please, register with the Fire Safe Council of Nevada County by either registering online or by calling 530-272-1122.
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Woolman School, Nevada City
Woolman School
Woolman is a semester high school program situated on 230 acres just off Jones Bar. This site is sponsored by The Woolman School. Site coordinator is Jacob Holzberg-Pill. To volunteer on this site or any other site please, register with the Fire Safe Council of Nevada County by either registering online or by calling 530-272-1122.
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Banner Lava Cap/Gracie Rd, Nevada City
Banner Mountain HOA
The areas to be cleared are the roadsides along Banner Lava Cap Road from Pittsburgh Mine Road to Gracie Road; and Gracie Road from Banner Lava Cap Road to lower portion of Gracie. The Banner Mountain Homeowners Association has been working to remove the broom along these roads for four years. Both roads are fire evacuation routes for Banner Mountain. Broom growing along these roadsides can obstruct drivers’ view of side roads, increase the potential of a fire being started from a cigarette being tossed from a passing car, and more importantly, prevent the use of these roads as an evacuation routes in the event of a major fire. This project site is sponsored by the Banner Mountain Homeowners Association. The site coordinator is Chuck Staetz. To volunteer on this site or any other site please, register with the Fire Safe Council of Nevada County by either registering online or by calling 530-272-1122.
**** Canceled ****
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Woodpecker Perserve
Bear Yuba Land Trust
This will be the first year to remove Scotch Broom at Woodpecker Preserve, which not only provides recreation for people through trails but also provides critical habitat to many different flora and fauna species. Woodpecker Preserve even houses some uncommon and endangered plant species. The trailhead is located at the corner of Banner Lava Cap Road and Gracie Road in Nevada City. Volunteers are meeting here and are advised to park in the dirt turnout. This project site is sponsored by the Bear Yuba Land Trust. The site coordinator is Cathy Shirley. To volunteer on this site or any other site, please register with the Fire Safe Council of Nevada County by either registering online or by calling 530-272-1122.
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Dutch Flat, Near the Town of Dutch Flat
Placer Sierra Fire Safe Council
Work continues for the third year to remove Broom from our community. The Dutch Flat site is located approximately ¼ mile from the Monte Vista, toward historic Dutch Flat. Volunteers are meeting in Vista parking lot at 8:30 and will pull broom until lunch is served at noon. This project site is sponsored by Placer Sierra Fire Safe Council. The site coordinator is Bill Hart. To volunteer on this site or any other site, please register with the Fire Safe Council of Nevada County by either registering online or by calling 530-272-1122.
Saturday, March 13, 2013 & Sunday March 14, 2013
Champion Mine Road & NID Ditch Trail
Greater Champion Mine Neighborhood Association
Work continues along Champion Mine Road sponsored by the Greater Champion Mine Neighborhood Association. The Scotch Broom Challenge pull at this site is on Saturday and Sunday. This project site is sponsored by Greater Champion Neighborhood Association and Co-sponsored by Nevada County Walkers, Bicyclists of Nevada County & Forest Trails Alliance. The 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 registering online or by calling 530-272-1122.
Saturday, April 6, 2013
Eskaton
Gold Country Kiwanis & NUHS Key Club
This is a new site this year that is located along the property boundary of Nevada Union High School and Eskaton Village. This project site is sponsored by Gold Country Kiwanis Club and NUHS Key Club. The site coordinator is Mary Dodson. To volunteer on this site or any other site, please register with the Fire Safe Council of Nevada County by either registering online or by calling 530-272-1122.
Saturday, April 6, 2013
Oak Tree Community Park, North San Juan
Friends of Oak Tree Park
A newly designated public park on the San Juan ridge. With ball fields and natural areas, Oak Tree Community Park provides a much needed green space for a wide variety of activities. Help clear the last patch of Scotch broom to make room for the upcoming pavilion and picnic area. This project site is sponsored by the Friends of Oak Tree Park. The site coordinator is Lisa Rowe. To volunteer on this site or any other site, please register with the Fire Safe Council of Nevada County by either registering online or by calling 530-272-1122.
Saturday, April 6, 2013
Hirschman Pond
Sierra Streams Institute
The trailhead for the recently completed Hirshman’s Trail is located just off Cement Hill Road, off Highway 49 in Nevada City. This 2.5 mile trail, constructed by the Bear Yuba Land Trust, meanders through oak woodland past the historic mining site surrounding Hirshman’s Pond. Help us remove the Scotch Broom along the trail. The project site is sponsored by Sierra Streams Institute. The site coordinator Rachel Durben. To volunteer on this site or any other site, please register with the Fire Safe Council of Nevada County by either registering online or by calling 530-272-1122.
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Burton Homestead
Bear Yuba Land Trust
Scotch broom removal will continue for the second year at the Burton Homestead which is a 38 acre preserve owned by the Bear Yuba Land Trust for education. Classes include the Food Love Project and Fox Walkers. Also, the Tsi Akim Maidu Tribe owns 3 acres within the 38 acres. This site is located at 16200 Lake Vera Purdon Rd. The project site is sponsored by the Bear Yuba Land Trust. The site coordinator is Cathy Shirley. To volunteer on this site or any other site, please register with the Fire Safe Council of Nevada County by either registering online or by calling 530-272-1122.
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Wolf Creek at Wolf Creek Road
Wolf Creek Community Alliance
Work Continues at Wolf Creek site on Wolf Road to remove broom, and plant native plants along the creek. Volunteers are meeting at the site, between Hwy 49 and Duggan’s rd. This project site is sponsored by the Wolf Creek Community Alliance (WCCA). The site coordinator is Suzanne Ferroggiaro. To volunteer on this site or any other site, please register with the Fire Safe Council of Nevada County by either registering online or by calling 530-272-1122.
Saturday, March 16, 2013
Canyon View Preserve, Auburn
Placer Land Trust
Canyon View is home to a new trail project that will be opening to the public soon. It is a rich wooded property on the canyon’s edge with limitless views. This property has it all for the nature lover. One can enjoy a quiet walk along the stream, through the open space or into the diversity of the forest. This beautiful property isn’t lacking in potential but it still needs some help to protect it from ugly invasive. This site is sponsored by Placer Land Trust. The project site coordinator is Troy Outman. To volunteer on this site or any other site, please register with the Fire Safe Council of Nevada County by either registering online or by calling 530-272-1122.
Saturday, March 9, 2013
Sages Road, North San Juan
Joann & Rusty Fites Kaufman
Sages Road in North San Juan is a new Scotch Broom Challenge site this year. This project site is sponsored and coordinated by Joanne & Rusty Fites-Kaufman. To volunteer on this site or any other site, please register with the Fire Safe Council of Nevada County by either registering online or by calling 530-272-1122
Saturday, March 2, 2013
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 registering online or by calling 530-272-1122
