The Inland Waterways Association [Alliance member] has launched a new campaign to encourage everyone to get involved in controlling invasive Himalayan balsam. In addition to its series of work parties organised by various IWA branches around the country, IWA wants to see more individuals helping to control the plant following calls in national newspapers and elsewhere that the plant has become even more widespread this year.
Whether people are walking the dog or out with family and friends, everyone can help by pulling up a few plants if they see it before the seeds have started to develop. IWA has come up with a 3 stage check list, ‘Pull Snap Stomp’, to remind people what to do:
Pull – Check IWA’s Himalayan Balsam identification guide to be certain that it is Himalayan balsam and then pull up individual balsam stems – they pull up very easily;
Snap – break off the root below the lowest growing node;
Stomp – Pile it up in small heaps for it to rot down, away from the path. Bigger piles can be stamped on to assist the rotting process – small children love doing this and it makes a great sound.