Balsam Bashing – First use of our new Hi Vis Jackets
We are seeing ever increasing swathes of Himalayan Balsam on our roadsides and riverbanks. Whilst this plant can look beautiful with its pink and white flowers and long swaying green stems it is classed as a Non Native Invasive Species. It is highly invasive, growing rapidly and smothering other vegetation as it goes. Its root system is known to destabilise the river banks.
During August we worked with West Cumbria Rivers Trust (WCRT) https://www.westcumbriariverstrust.org/ to remove a patch of Himalayan Balsam from a section of the river Cocker.
Several club members joined the working party and superbly modelled our newly acquired Hi Vis Jackets.
We hope to join WCRT to continue the battle against this invasive plant next year.
