Himalayan Balsam Bashers

Our annual Himalayan Balsam Campaign runs from May until October each year and we are always looking for volunteers to help us hand-pull this invasive plant. It is good fun and remarkably therapeutic.

We go out two or three times a week, but people do not need to come to every session.

Because of the nature of the sessions you need to be reasonably mobile, and having access to a car is helpful.

No tools are needed, but you need to wear long sleeves and trousers and good footwear.

More details on this link Himalayan" target="_blank" title="http://www.islandrivers.org.uk/love-your-river/get-involved/himalayan-balsam-campaign/">Himalayan">http://www.islandrivers.org.uk/love-your-river/get-involved/himalayan-balsam-campaign/">Himalayan Balsam Campaign (islandrivers.org.uk)

The lower Eastern Yar, Scotchells Brook and Wroxall stream are almost uniformly covered in the Barbie doll pink blossom of the non-native plant Himalayan balsam. It also occurs in patches on the Medina River and Merstone Stream. 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 water voles.

We would love as many new volunteers as possible to join up for balsam-pulling so that we can keep up a sustained attack all summer. It's an easy job, lots of fun and a great excuse to work outside in some of our loveliest river-side spots. 

Its great for individuals to come 'on the pull' with us, or we are happy to take out groups. We are also trialling cutting wide swathes of the plant with hand tools such as scythes and we now go out in winter too, to do practical conservation that prepares the sites for the summer.

If you would like to give a hand Himalayan Balsam-pulling this summer, please get in touch.

We would love to hear from you.

No experience necessary as training will be given on the day.

You will need your own transport as the balsam inconveniently doesn't grow near bus routes!

Skills

You will need to be reasonably sure-footed.

Because of the nature of the sessions you need to be reasonably mobile, and having access to a car is helpful.

No tools are needed, but you need to wear long sleeves and trousers and good footwear.