Himalayan Balsam bashing season is officially open and river conservation charity, Eden Rivers Trust is calling on people to join its annual blitz of the invasive non-native species from riverbanks.
Events are taking place throughout the summer months and across the Eden catchment with efforts kicking off on Bank Holiday Monday, May 4, from 2pm to 4pm at Dalston, near Carlisle.
The event is the first of three falling on bank holiday weekends and organisers are hoping for a big turnout to get its balsam bashing efforts off to a flying start.
Jenni Payne, ERT’s community engagement and volunteer co-ordinator said: “Balsam season is upon us and our Himalayan balsam bank is empty!
Help us fill it up this year by removing this invasive, non-native plant from our riverbanks, paths and fields.
“It’s simple to remove these shallow rooted invaders and add them to our balsam bank and we’ll be laying on plenty of tea and cake to keep you motivated!
“With your help, we hope to remove and deposit 500,000 plants into our balsam bank this year, giving much needed space to our native plants to help them re-establish themselves along Eden’s riverbanks.”
How to get involved this summer:
- Join one of the trust’s afternoons at Dalston on Monday May 4, Branthwaite on Saturday May 23 and Appleby on Monday August 31 or look out for mid-week pulling opportunities as part of its regular volunteering programme. See www.edenriverstrust.org.uk/eventsfor dates and venues.
This year’s activities have been organised as part of the charity’s Action Against Invasives project, part of the Access to Eden: breaking barriers, building bridges partnership project led by Eden Rivers Trust with a grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
