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If you spot any new locations
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Many hands are required to help with “The Big Pull”, to tackle the spread of the invasive Himalayan Balsam plant which is crowding out our native species, taking over whole areas of the Churnet Valley and exposing our stream and river banks to erosion.
Himalayan Balsam (botanical name impatiens glandulifera) was introduced to Britain in the mid 19th Century by Victorian gardeners and can grow to a height of over three metres. With up to 800 seeds per plant, which are released explosively from the seed pods and can travel for up to seven metres from the plant, this aggressive plant is considered a real threat to our local environment.
During the summer, the Churnet Valley Living Landscape Partnership is bringing volunteers together to tackle the problem before the plants can release their seeds. Organised work parties, running from June to August will cut the plants back to ground level or pull the plants from the ground and create compost piles. Local volunteers are being recruited now by the CVLLP and Staffordshire Moorlands Volunteer Centre to take part in the work parties – but individual walkers and community groups are also being asked to help. Please let us know if you spot any new locations with Himalayan Balsam within the CVLLP area by reporting it here.
Helen Anderson CVLLP Participation Officer says “If you see Himalayan Balsam growing when you are out and about this summer, please pull up the plants (if it is safe for you to do so) and put them down to die back naturally. If we can attack before the seed pods have developed, there will be fewer plants next year.” To measure the total effort everyone is putting into the Balsam Bashing the CVLLP are asking for all supporters to register their contribution by emailing where, when and for how long you or your group have worked via this page.
To join one of our work parties check the upcoming events list. For more information please contact Helen Anderson on 01538 381356 email: HelenAnderson@smcvs.co.uk or call into the Staffordshire Moorlands Volunteer Centre, 9 High Street, Leek – open Monday to Friday 10am – 2pm.