Bournemouth Water staff rolled up their sleeves recently to support Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council in a vital environmental clean-up effort along the Bourne Stream, removing invasive Himalayan Balsam that threatens local biodiversity.
On one of the hottest days of the year, five dedicated volunteers from Bournemouth Water took on the strenuous task of hand-pulling the fast-spreading plant.
In total, the group successfully removed the equivalent of 14 bags one tonne of Himalayan Balsam, which were then left to safely dry out on tarmac to prevent further spread.
Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glandulifera), was introduced to the UK in 1839 as an ornamental plant but is now recognised as an Invasive Non-Native Species.
Thriving in moist, semi-shaded environments like the Bourne Stream, the plant outcompetes native species and reduces biodiversity. It spreads rapidly and can produce up to 800 seeds that are capable of travelling long distances and pose a serious threat to local ecosystems.
Bournemouth Water’s volunteers removed the invasive plant manually by a cost-effective and environmentally friendly method known as “pulling,” which involves uprooting the plants before they can seed.
Their effort is part of Bournemouth Water’s wider commitment to sustainability and supporting community-driven environmental projects.
Gemma Morgan, Environment Officer at Bournemouth Water, said:
“We’re proud to have been part of this important project to remove Himalayan Balsam from Bourne Stream.
“This invasive non-native species can pose a real threat to ecosystems so it was super to get it removed so Bourne Stream can continue to thrive. It was a wonderful way to spend an afternoon with colleagues doing something to protect our local environment and I’d like to say a huge thank you to BCP Council for making this possible.”