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17 October 2011
New initiative to tackle invasive species in the Eden Valley
Eden Rivers Trust in partnership with Natural England is launching a new initiative in the Eden Valley to take action against invasive non-native species. This will mobilize all interested parties in a coordinated plan of attack, to stop the spread of unwanted species already here and prevent the introduction of others not yet arrived.
Eden Rivers Trust hosted an event in December 2010 to gather local knowledge on the location and extent of invasive species along the River Eden and its tributaries. They also wanted to hear about any action already taking place, and suggestions about the best way forward.
For more information about the initiative go to http://trust.edenriverstrust.org.uk/
The aim is to create an Eden Invasive Species Group which will identify invasive species in the River Eden catchment, prioritize future control, and co-ordinate the work that is already being done.
This initiative is the start of a coordinated approach to tackling invasive species in the Eden Valley. We hope as many people as possible will get involved to help get rid of or keep out non-native species such as Himalayan balsam, Japanese knotweed, giant hogweed, signal crayfish and fish parasites.
Objectives of the Eden Invasive Species Group are:
To co-ordinate the control and prevent the introduction of invasive plant and animal species within the River Eden catchment (mainly focusing on the river / riparian habitat with site specific flexibility to expand target where necessary)
This would be delivered by:
- Raising awareness
- Developing a control strategy
- Surveying & mapping new areas, recording and ground truthing known areas
- Implementing control measures in strategic locations
- Involving the community – eg in mapping & control measures
- Training –in identification & control methods
- Joining up efforts & sharing knowledge & resources
Progress in 2011
An amazing 146 volunteers attended 46 organised events this summer to remove unwanted invaders from Eden’s waterways.
About 12 km of river bank have been treated during 2011, by hand pulling and spraying with herbicide. This has taken place on the River Eden at Carlisle, Lazonby and Armathwaite, the River Caldew at Dalston, and around Ullswater in the Glenridding and Patterdale areas.
Invasive non-native plants are spreading along our water bodies and damaging local wildlife. Examples of particular concern are Himalayan balsam and Japanese knotweed. These aggressive species smother our native plants and lead to serious erosion of the banks.
In 2010 the Eden Invasive Species Group was set up to coordinate and expand efforts to control invasive non-native species in the Eden catchment. It has attracted excellent support from many local land owners, organisations and volunteers.
Alison Reed of Eden Rivers Trust said, “It has been fantastic how all these different organisations and land owners have come together and achieved so much, with enormous help from volunteers. Working together we will have a far greater effect than any of us working in isolation.”
In July a fantastic event was organised in conjunction with Ullswater Steamers and their mascot, Sammy the Squirrel, on the shores of the lake. It was attended by 47 people who worked hard all day pulling up Himalayan balsam. They were rewarded with a free boat trip on the lake provided by Ullswater Steamers!
The event was aimed at involving local people and land owners, as well as visitors to the area, in the initiative. It was also aimed at raising awareness of the problem and particularly the “Check clean dry” campaign to prevent the spread of invasive non-native species from one water body to another.