Thanks to funding from the AFA Rea Regen project 2025 we have begun our balsam bashing sessions as part of our wider woodland management program.
Find our more about Himalayan Balsam, why it’s a problem, how to remove it and how to identify it with this video here.
Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) is bad for the environment and wildlife for several key reasons:
- Outcompetes Native Plants: It grows rapidly and densely, overshadowing native vegetation. This reduces biodiversity and alters natural ecosystems.
- Soil Erosion: Its shallow roots do not hold soil well. When it dies back in winter, bare banks are left exposed, increasing the risk of erosion and flooding.
- Disrupts Pollination: It attracts pollinators like bees away from native plants because of its high nectar production, negatively impacting the reproduction of native species.
- Alters Habitat: By dominating riverbanks and damp habitats, it changes the structure and availability of resources for native insects, birds, and small mammals.
- Spreads Rapidly: It produces thousands of seeds that are easily spread by water and human activity, making it very difficult to control once established.
In summary, Himalayan balsam disrupts ecosystems by displacing native plants, altering habitats, and contributing to erosion and biodiversity loss.
Join us for our Next Balsam Bash on Friday 27th June at 6pm
