The Monterey Vista Neighborhood Association invites our neighbors to participate in the fourth annual 2012 Genista Pull (date and time TBA) in Monterey’s Quarry Park (entrance on Via del Pinar between Herrmann Drive and Via Gayuba).

Genista (Scotch Broom) is an invasive non-native shrub that spreads aggressively, displaces native plant species, and is highly flammable. The only successful way of controlling it is to pull it up from the roots.

Let's show our appreciation for the City of Monterey's support for neighborhood green spaces and the ongoing work of our city’s Urban Forestry Department by working together to help control this threat to our local ecosystem. Beverages will be provided - bring a snack to share and a pair of gardening gloves (the more mature stems can be rough!).

In each of the past three years’ Genista Pulls we have uprooted enough genista to fill several large trucks, and have been praised for our efforts by Monterey’s Urban Forestry and Parks & Recreation departments. This year we plan to concentrate our efforts along the steep banks of Quarry Park (for the younger and more agile among us), as well as along the trail that runs uphill and toward Veterans’ Park (for those of us who are better suited to gentle terrain).

Tell your friends, and we'll see you there - rain or shine!