A VIRTUAL campaign during Covid-19 lockdown is urging people in Calderdale to help bash the balsam.

Residents are being urged to do their bit and help clear any invasive species Himalayan balsam from their backyard and local neighbourhood this month.

Organisations working in the Calder Valley including the Environment Agency, Calder Future, Calder Valley Clean-up Team, Calderdale Council, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, Calder and Colne Rivers Trust, Yorkshire water, River Stewardship Company are joining the call.

As part of a social media campaign they are asking residents, gardeners, walkers, joggers, families, landowners and voluntary groups to take action – quickly – throughout July near to where they live to help prevent the spread of the species which is a widespread problem.

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Himalayan Balsam thrives in damp habitats and can completely take over river banks and woodland, crowding out native species preventing them from growing.

The plant has explosive seed heads so spreads very easily.

Normally, Calder Future would organise groups of volunteers to carry out Balsam bashing at hotspots across the district, but due to social distancing restrictions following the coronavirus outbreak, it will not be possible this year.

Gavin Roberts, volunteer co-ordinator for Calder Future, said: “It would be great to involve as many local residents in this campaign as possible to make a big hit on the invasive balsam this year.

“The weather conditions for the plant will cause it to spread and grow tall this season, as we have had the heat followed by the rain.

“Areas where local activists have been pulling the balsam over the last years, such as Knott Wood near Charlestown and at Nutclough Woods.”

Sally Kelling, flood resilience officer with the Environment Agency, who is coordinating the local Balsam Bashing campaign in Calderdale, said Himalayan Balsam has a very negative impact on the valley’s environment.

“It often results in bare river banks in winter increasing the chances of soil erosion, danger of landslides and risks of flooding which is a particular problem for the Calder Valley,” she said.

Coun Scott Patient, Cabinet member for climate change and environment with Calderdale Council, said it was really important everyone took whatever action they could to help get this species under control as soon as possible.

“The plant is safe to touch but can spread very rapidly.

“Although we can’t organise our usual group events this year, we’re asking for individuals to look out for the plant close to their homes or when out and about and, if they’re able, help to clear it,” he said.

Areas where Himalayan Balsam is a particular problem in Calderdale include some wooded cloughs in the upper valley which feed into the River Calder for example, Jumble Hole Clough and Colden Clough (though not Gorpley Clough as an international research programme to trial biological control to reduce balsam is being carried out there), embankments near Hebden Bridge station and Tipside in Todmorden, the river corridor, in particular where land borders both the River Calder and the canal, for example, at the end of Holmes Park, Luddenden Foot and near Copley, Halifax.

Elland Riverside Park is another location with accessible riverbanks.

TIPS

Clearing can be done by hand – pull the shallow rooted plants out completely and snap stem between root and first node to prevent further regrowth.

If the flowers have already made seed heads which can be the case from mid July – extra care needs to be taken pulling up the plants so the seeds are not dispersed so carefully place a bag over the flowers and seed heads to capture them and then remove the plant.

Any seeds removed must be disposed of carefully.

Do not transport the dead plant, just leave it on river bank or in small piles to help to minimise the contact between the pulled roots and the ground, as the balsam can re-sprout and grow

Take care not to take balsam seed or plant home on your boots and clothes – make sure you do not spread it by accident.

It is advised to wear long trousers and sleeves when pulling up these plants as balsam tends to grow alongside stinging nettles and brambles.