6-Jun-2006
- This week Environment Agency staff will be contributing
to World Environment Day efforts when they take
part in a volunteer environmental project with
BTCV (British Trust for Conservation Volunteers).
Along the banks of the River
Derwent, near Howsham, Environment Agency staff
will be pulling up the nuisance weed Himalayan
Balsam.
Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens
glandulifera) is an annual herb native to the
Himalayan region of Asia. This plant has covered
much of Britain, and it spreads particularly rapidly
along riverbanks. The attractive flowers appear
in July, and by October seeds will start to scatter
not only around the plant but also onto the water.
This weed is proving to be a problem because every
year new plants grow from seed and often exceed
head height. One plant can produce up to 800 seeds,
which are viable for around 18 months and seeds
can even germinate under water. Once established,
Himalayan Balsam competes effectively against
native plants and has been known to suffocate
native vegetation.
External Relations Officer Kathryn
Cook said: “Instead of just preaching about World
Environment Day we thought we’d get out of the
office and do something practical to help. Himalayan
Balsam is a very aggressive weed and needs removing
from the riverbank before it flowers in July.
“Volunteering for an environmental
project in your local community is just one of
the ten promises you can make for World Environment
Day.”
If people are interested in
volunteering for an environmental project they
can contact Community Service Volunteers and may
even receive a grant for their works. Visit the
dedicated website at www.actionearth.org.uk
For more information about World
Environment Day and how to make simple environmental
promises visit our website at www.environment-agency.gov.uk/wed
World Environment Day happens
on 5 June each year and is UN initiative that
began in 1972.
