Summer Volunteering with Friends of Rea Valley Stirchley: Tackling Nature’s Challenges Together
As the sun blazed down this past weekend, a dedicated group of volunteers from Friends of Rea Valley Stirchley rolled up their sleeves and got to work along the River Rea in Stirchley and Selly Oak.
Our mission? To continue maintaining the pathways that run alongside this vital green corridor, respond to some of the lingering storm damage from earlier this year, and carry out much-needed balsam bashing—a term regular volunteers know all too well!
Despite the heat, spirits were high as we tackled a range of essential tasks. Crack willow trees—whose falling limbs pose a safety risk—were managed and cleared, restoring safe access to parts of the pathway that had become obstructed. Elsewhere, our team took on the persistent Himalayan balsam, an invasive species that can quickly overtake riverbanks and crowd out native plant life if left unchecked. With boots on, gloves on, and a healthy dose of determination, volunteers pulled up vast swathes of the plant, making way for more biodiversity and improving soil stability.
The stormy weather earlier in the year left a lasting impact on the paths and green spaces along the Rea, with fallen trees, erosion, and plant overgrowth making parts of the route difficult to navigate. Thanks to the hard work of our volunteers, we’re proud to say these areas are now more accessible and enjoyable for the local community once again – but there’s still plenty left to do unfortunately!
Taking a Summer Break
With schools breaking up and holidays on the horizon, the group will now be taking a well-earned rest over the summer. But don’t worry—we’ll be back in September, ready to pick up where we left off with more community-led conservation work along the river.
Want to Get Involved?
Volunteering with Friends of Rea Valley Stirchley is a brilliant way to:
- Connect with your local community
- Get outdoors and stay active
- Learn about local ecology and environmental stewardship
- Make a real, visible impact in our shared spaces
If you’d like to join us for future sessions, we’d love to hear from you. Just send us a private message to be added to our volunteering WhatsApp group, where we share upcoming work dates, photos, and progress updates.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us this weekend—your energy, commitment, and care make a real difference. 💚
Keep an eye on our page for updates, upcoming events, and ways to support the continued care of the Rea Valley. Until then, have a lovely summer!
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