Balsam Action Toolkit
Organisation:
Wye Valley National Landscape – Wye invasive species project (WISP)
Action:
Himalayan Balsam is one of the invasive non-native species which has overtaken many waterways throughout the UK river system. The river Wye is in an unfavourable condition and this is exacerbated by the presence of at least three non-native invasive species. To manage Himalayan balsam, the National Landscape’s WISP project is undertaking large scale events to reduce the population with the aim of removing it from the ecosystem. This species is particularly persistent and therefore requires extensive management. This is done using the following:
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Identify – It is found in and around riverbanks, woodland and damp habitat. It is pink with trumpet shaped wide petals. Full ID guides can be found in the toolkit.
- Bashing - If you are pulling the flowers during early flowering season. First gently bend the flower and seed heads into a sturdy plastic bag and break them off into the bag. Keep bagged flowers and seeds on site to rot down for at least three years. It is illegal to take them off site except to a licensed controlled waste facility. The roots are rarely more than a few centimetres deep. Grasp the stem and lift the roots out with a gentle tug. If the stem snaps above the bottom node try again! Snap the stem of the pulled up plant between the root and the bottom node.
- Planning - Getting a group together in advance to ensure the repeated bashing takes place. Make sure risk assessment is in place, ensuring special commendation for working near water. Always go in pairs or groups. Always follow – Check, Dry, Clean.
- Mapping - Ensure to map the area where you have bashed, and monitor regrowth and management. What3Words, OS maps. GIS. Report to the Local Environmental Record Centre (LERC).
Location:
Lower Wye Valley National Landscape is the target area of the project but the management can be implemented throughout the UK
Level of commitment:
No commitment. Management recommended annually
Training required:
No formal training required but it is advised to join a Balsam bashing event
WISP Toolkit Files 2023 Setup.indd (wyevalley-nl.org.uk)
Kit needed:
All necessary kit is recommended within the Balsam Action Toolkit, none is provided
Outcome:
The overall aim of the project will be to remove the invasive balsam from the river Wye and reduce the spread of it throughout the Wye catchment. Through signing up or beginning an event you can recruit your local community and volunteers to work together to increase the success rate of the balsam bashing.