Natural Enterprise’s Plant Positive project is once again out on the River Medina, the Eastern Yar and Wroxall Stream and the local charity is in urgent need of new people to join their band of volunteers who tackle Himalayan Balsam – one of the most invasive non-native plant species on the Island’s rivers.
Since 2013 volunteers have made great progress on bringing the infestation under control on much of Wroxall Stream native herby vegetation has returned.
Fields are no longer pink! The team tackles new areas each year, as well as visiting previous sites to eliminate any plants that have returned.
Not only a threat to our extraordinary biodiversity
As well as out-pollinating and out-shading our native flora and threatening the extraordinary biodiversity of our river habitats it dies back in winter, leaving our riverbanks bare and vulnerable to erosion and increased flooding.
It is thought that this loss of plant diversity and bank erosion is also contributing significantly to the decline of one of the UK’s rarest mammals, the water vole.
Flux: It’s an easy job, lots of fun and a great excuse to work outside
Carol Flux, the Project Manager, explains,
“We currently have volunteers out three days a week, and need new people to join our regular volunteers. It’s urgent as the balsam will be seeding soon, and each plant produces about 800 seeds.
“Pulling Himalayan balsam out at the root before it has a chance to seed is an effective method of control, and we also have some volunteers using scythes, and some wading.
“It’s an easy job, lots of fun and a great excuse to work outside in some of our loveliest river-side spots! It’s great for individuals to come ‘on the pull’ with us, or we are happy to take out groups.”
Get in touch
If you would like to give a hand Himalayan Balsam-pulling this summer, please contact Carol Flux on 07790 906232 or [email protected]
No experience is necessary as training will be given on the day.
News shared by Carol on behalf of Natural Enterprise. Ed
