The Tourism and Conservation Partnership
Funding conservation through tourism

For more information about the work on the Partnership please click on the image below:

This is what visitors to Cote How are contributing towards.

Invasive Species Eradication in the Grasmere, Rydal and Ambleside areas.

Invasive species to be targeted are:
Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens Glandulifera)
Japanese Knotweed

Focus on Balsam
This plant was introduced to Britain in 1839, but escaped from gardens and rapidly colonised riverbanks and areas of damp ground.
Himalayan Balsam is the tallest annual in Britain and grows in dense stands that suppress the growth of native grasses and other flora. In the autumn, the plants die back, leaving river banks bare of vegetation and vulnerable to erosion.

This annual plant germinates in March and April and grows rapidly. It flowers from June to October and produces a relatively high quantity of nectar. The flowers are mainly pollinated by bumblebees and wasps, and it has been shown that this introduced species competes with native plants for pollinators. As a result, native species set lower amounts of seed when growing in the vicinity of Himalayan balsam.

The generic part of the Latin name Impatiens means impatient, and refers to the means of dispersal of the seed, which is the key to the aggressive spread of this species. The seed capsule splits open explosively, scattering the seeds widely. Each plant can produce as many as 2,500 seeds, which can stay viable for 18 months and are spread widely in flowing water.

Although a popular plant with many, to conservationists Himalayan balsam is a very frustrating species to deal with. Its aggressive nature means that it frequently out-competes native plants, and causes untold problems in sensitive habitats. Many local Wildlife Trusts organise ‘balsam bashing’ events to control the frequency of the plant in important sites.

For more info Balsam Info

Photo taken Rydal 01 June 06

Control:

Chemical
Cutting/mowing/strimming (before flowering)
Pulling
Grazing

The easiest, cheapest and most environmentally friendly option is to pull the stems before the plant has a chance to flower.

How you can help

Balsam Bashing:
In 2006 we identified approximately 27,000 metres squared of Himalayan balsam in the Rothay Valley.

We are currently planning organised Balsam Bashing Groups to manually pull the balsam by hand.

Work undertaken in 2006 in the Rydal Water area

photographed 3 August 2006

This photo was taken in a meadow next to Rydal Water alongside the A591 looking towards Wansfell. We had spent the whole summer bashing the other side of the Lake and were running out of time.

This Balsam was over 2m tall in places and was very near seeding. We felt that we had no option but to strim the entire area, at least this way any seeds would stay contained in the immediate area!
This was strimmed and scythed and it will be interesting to see how much balsam grows in 2007.

2007 Update:
Major improvement in this field. Still large pockets of balsam in road side inlets on the LHS, growing some 2-3m high with stalks as thick as 12cm in places.

We realised that the inlets in the wall to take flood water from the road were actually washing down seed and fertilisers from the fields above. We therefore spent a lot of time across the road taking our balsam in hard to reach areas alongside the A591.

We need more volunteers - If you want to help please contact us by email: Cote How - Balsam Bashing
or by telephone on 015394 32765 - Every little saves a lot next year!!

Japanese Knotweed

RVSEG have recently embarked on a programme of spraying of Japanese Knotweed in the Rothay Valley.

So far in 2007 we have had 3 days of spraying along the riverside from White Moss through to Stepping Stones, than more recently from Stepping Stones through to Ambleside.

2008 Update:
We have now joined forces with the South Cumbria rivers Trust (SCRT). In March 2008 we have had started to clear the river bank opposite the GLen Rothay Hotel in Rydal. This was completely full of Knotweed last year, and after 2 sprays, we decided to clear the dead matter and dig up some of the roots to burn.
The difference is amazing to see, with a stone lined path revealed along the river bank and remnants of an allotment alongside!
The views form the Hotel are already looking much clearer towards Rydal Water.

We will continue to monitor this area to evaluate its effectiveness.