05/27/2026
Thank You to WNY PRISM for awarding the Clarence Conservation Advisory Council the 2026 boot brush station located at Beeman Creek Park.
Here is some information on the boot brush stations:
Give invasive species the brush off!
Boot brush stations are a great way to prevent the spread of invasive species along trails and in natural areas. Simple to use, they serve to educate the public on the impact of invasive species and what steps can be taken to spread the word, not the species.
What is a boot brush station?
Boot brush stations are a great way to educate people about invasive species and prevent their spread. Users are encouraged to use the boot brush portion of the station to remove mud, dirt and seed debris from their boot treads while they read the attached sign about nearby invasive species. These stations are installed in natural areas, usually at trailheads or near visitor centers.
How does installing one help stop the spread of invasive species?
As hikers walk through the forest, their shoes can pick up the seeds of invasive species which often line the edges of trails. If shoes are not properly cleaned before and after each adventure, they can transport invasive species to a new area and start a new infestation. Boot brush stations give hikers the reminder and opportunity to remove seeds from their boots, which can prevent the introduction of invasive species to your park or natural area.
Do boot brush stations actually prevent new infestations of invasive species?
While we can’t prove a non-invasion, we can examine the seeds found around boot brush stations to give us an idea of the species being carried on boot treads. A research project done in southern Illinois sampled the dirt mounds created around the boot brush stations and found 39 different species, 14 of which were exotic plant species. Visit PlayCleanGo’s website for more information.
