Busy in the Meadows

Ian and the volunteer team have been working hard to eradicate the Himalayan Balsam which colonises the damp areas of the meadows each year.

Although beautiful, this plant is a non-native, invasive species which causes damage to our river system. It out competes smaller, native plants and takes over large areas. As it is an annual, it dies back at the end of the summer, leaving expanses of bare river bank, leaving them exposed to the risk of erosion which causes excessive silting of the rivers.

Removing Balsam before its seed pods explode prevents it establishing new colonies fur-ther downstream.

If you see it growing anywhere whilst out walking, feel free to pull it and leave it where it lies.