Saving Shasta Snow-Wreath: Beating Scotch broom Without Herbicides

For the past seven years, EPIC has been dedicated to hand-pulling invasive Scotch broom to

protect one of Northern California’s rarest treasures: the Shasta snow-wreath (Neviusia cliftonii).

This delicate, flowering shrub—found nowhere else on Earth—clings to survival in just a few

small, isolated populations around Shasta Lake Reservoir. When the Shasta-Trinity National

Forest proposed the use of glyphosate and aminopryalid along Packers Bay Road, EPIC stepped in

to protect these rare populations from herbicide drift and to prove the effectiveness of people

power.

Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius), though deceptively pretty, is a major ecological disruptor. It

outcompetes native plants, alters soil chemistry, and increases wildfire risk by forming dense,

flammable thickets. Left unchecked, it transforms diverse ecosystems into monocultures, driving

out rare species like the Shasta snow-wreath. Unlike natives that support local pollinators and

wildlife, invasive plants provide little ecological value, acting more like ecological bullies than

contributors. By removing Scotch broom at the root—literally—we prevent it from seeding the

next generation of invaders.

Non-toxic alternatives like hand-pulling may seem labor-intensive, but they’re often more

effective in the long run, as can be witnessed by our efforts. Toxic chemical herbicides can

damage non-target species, leach into waterways, and harm soils, insects, and wildlife. In

contrast, strategic manual removal avoids collateral damage and fosters community engagement,

offering both ecological and educational benefits. Protecting the Shasta snow-wreath isn’t just

about saving a rare plant—it’s about honoring the intricate web of life it represents, and ensuring

that these sensitive ecosystems are allowed to persist.