What are invasive non-native species?
One of the biggest threats to biodiversity is foreign species, pests and disease, referred to as Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS). These can be plant or animal species. Removing and reporting invasive species wherever they appear on your land is very important. These species can outcompete native species, removing diversity, nutrients and space from habitats.
Some of the common ones in South Ribble are:
- Himalayan balsam
- Japanese knotweed
- Giant hogweed
- Rhododendron
Government advice on how to control the spread non-native species.
Advice on how to identify non-native species.
Taking action on Himalayan Balsam in South Ribble
Himalayan Balsam is a plant that was introduced to the UK gardens back in the 1830’s. It escaped and is now widespread along our rivers and ditches. It has become the UK’s largest plant, growing up to 2 - 3m in height. It thrives in damp places in the spring and summer and dies back in winter leaving riverbanks bare and prone to erosion. Each plant can produce 600 – 2000 seeds in pods that explode and can send seeds up to 7 meters away from the host plant. It has no natural predators and therefore is outcompeting all our native plants. While the flowers do attract bees, this is often at the expense of our wildflowers, reducing the pollination of native species.
In order to try and control the spread of this plant along the River Lostock, South Ribble Borough Council are working in partnership with Lancashire Probation Service to spend time each year at the end of June / early July Balsam Bashing.
Bashing involves putting on a pair of gloves and pulling the plant up by the roots (its very shallow rooted, so this is easy!), breaking the stem and piling it up to dry out. Every little bit helps – pulling just 10 plants will stop at least 6000 new plants from growing
Bashing Balsam is one of the best control methods, but it is labour intensive, so we are looking for volunteers to help!
If you have a business or community group that can spare a couple of hours and would like to help, please get in touch with us via climate.emergency@southribble.gov.uk
The dates for this year's week of action are the 23rd - 28th June 2025
Public events
Worden Park - Saturday 28th June 10am - 12noon - meet at the dog wash on the main car park at 10am.
Please wear old clothes and stout footwear (wellies or walking boots recomended) and bring a pair of gardening gloves and a drink. Children welcome as long as they are suprevised by a responsible adult at all times.
There will be a walk from the meeting point to the area where the Balsam Bashing is taking place.