A great Earth Day activity to do at home is remove invasive plants such as Scotch Broom.

These plants damage wildlife habitats and make it difficult for native species to grow.

Scotch Broom competes with tree seedlings for light, nutrients and water, especially in reforested areas.

Seeds from the Scotch Broom can last up to 30 years, making the plant even more difficult to get rid of.

BC Forest Discovery Centre volunteer, John Campbell, is digging out Scotch Broom plants by hand.   Since each plant can produce 18,000 seeds, John's work is especially important to the health of the museum's forest ecosystem.

Thanks John, for bringing us one step closer to a healthier Earth!

Photo:  John Campbell removing Scotch Broom from the BC Forest Discovery Centre grounds on Earth Day April 22, 2009