This July, Surrey’s wildlife needs your help to win the war on problem plants - including that prolific pink alien invader 'Himalayan balsam'.
Surrey Wildlife Trust is joining forces with environment organisations, local authorities and volunteer groups for a month long campaign of invasive species task days.
The aim is to create a network of community groups across the county to systematically tackle the ever increasing spread of non-native invaders.
Get Involved!
You can help by joining a work party near you. A series of practical task days are being run by the Trust and partner organisations which you can get involved with during the month. They will be tackling problem species such as Himalayan Balsam, Bracken and Ragwort at various sites across the county.
If you belong to a community group and would like to run a task with your group to eradicate problem plants in your area, please contact Glen Skelton, the Trust’s Wetland Landscapes Officer by email: glen.skelton@surreywt.org.uk.
Also keep your eyes on our RiverSearch Facebook and Twitter pages during July for our weekly alerts about new invaders in Surrey - as well as methods for reducing their impact and spread.
What are Invasive Species?
Invasive species are plants or animals that spread rapidly and out-compete other species.
Non-native invasive species are animals or plants that have been introduced from outside the UK (non-native), which kill or out-compete native species or destroy wildlife habitats. Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 lists the non-native invasive species, which are illegal to release into the wild.
Why are they a problem?
Invasive species cost us around £1.7 billion every single year. They challenge native species and habitats, can affect human health and even contribute to extreme environmental events such as flooding in the case of some plant species.
Once a non-native species is introduced, the problem often escalates as the species spread further, and can be difficult to control due to the isolated and inaccessible nature of parts of our countryside.
Find an event near you
Surrey Wildlife Trust Events
If you are new to volunteering with the trust, please register your details on the website by visiting - http://www.surreywildlifetrust.org/how-you-can-help/volunteer
Refreshments are available on all of the tasks.
Monday 3 July – 10am – 3pm
Bracken management on Royal and Bagmoor Common, Elstead
To register and for more details, please contact - Suzie Robson 07968 832507.
Thursday 6 July - 10am – 3pm
Himalayan balsam removal. At South Wisley Common
To register and for more details, please contact - Ross Packman - 07968 832504.
Monday 10 July –10am – 3pm
Bracken management on Royal & Bagmoor Common
Join Surrey Wildlife Trust and help protect this precious heathland site
To register and for more details, please contact - Suzie Robson 07968 832507.
Wednesday 12 July – 10am – 3pm
Himalayan balsam removal along the river Mole in Norbury Park.
To register and for more details, please contact - Suzie Robson 07968 832507.
Monday 17 July – 10am – 3pm
Bracken management on Royal & Bagmoor Common
Join Surrey Wildlife Trust and help protect this precious heathland site
To register and for more details, please contact - Suzie Robson 07968 832507.
Wednesday 19 July –10am – 3pm
Ragwort pulling at Quarry Hangers, nr Merstham
To register and for more details, please contact - Suzie Robson 07968 832507.
Thursday 20 July – 10am – 3pm
Himalayan balsam clearance at Ockham and Wisley Commons.
To register and for more details, please contact - Ross Packman - 07968 832504.
Tuesday 25 July - 10am – 3pm
Himalayan balsam removal at Whitmoor Common, nr Guildford.
To register and for more details, please contact - Ross Packman - 07968 832504.
Thursday 27 July - 10am – 3pm
Himalayan balsam clearance at Ockham and Wisley Commons.
To register and for more details, please contact - Ross Packman - 07968 832504.
Monday 31 July – 10am
Bracken management on Royal & Bagmoor Common
Join Surrey Wildlife Trust and help protect this precious heathland site
To register and for more details, please contact - Ross Packman - 07968 832504.
Partner Events
Saturday 1 July – 10am – 1pm
Balsam Bashing on the Tillingbourne river at Chilworth –.
Help to tackle himalayan balsam on this fantastically rich stretch of river.
To register and for more details, please contact - davidgnaisby@gmail.com
Monday 3 July – 9.30am to 4.30pm
Balsam Bashing on Blue Bird Island, Leatherhead
Volunteers will have the chance to visit this secluded island in the middle of the river Mole which is being invaded by Himalayan balsam. Due to the need to take a boat over to the island, volunteers will need to commit to the whole day.
To register and for more details, please contact - Caroline Cardew-Smith (caroline@allbright.co.uk)
Wedneday 5 July – 10am -3pm
Balsam bashing along the river Mole at Leatherhead
Join the River Mole working group to help eradicate himalayan balsam on the river between Thorncroft bridge and Town bridge. Volunteers can stay for as long as they like.
To register and for more details, please contact - Caroline Cardew-Smith - 07768 806201 email: caroline@allbright.co.uk
Sunday 9 & 23 July – 10am – 1pm
Balsam Bashing Mayford Meadows, Mayford, Woking
The Biodiversity Woking Group are working hard to clear these beautiful meadows and wetlands of Himalayan balsam. Come along on either or both of the days.
To register and for more details, please contact - Biodiversity Woking Woking.biodiversity@outlook.com
Thursday 20 July – 10am – 3pm
Balsam bashing beside the River Wey in Farnham
Join Surrey Wildlife Trust and Farnham Rivers Group to tackle the last big patch of balsam just downstream of the town.
To register and for more details, please contact - glen.skelton@surreywt.org.uk