Written by: Clarissa Bushell
2024
Himalayan Balsam is an invasive species which grows to 6ft each summer and which out-competes our native wildlife. The plant must be removed before it quickly colonises damp areas using its explosive pods to send seeds into streams and rivers, causing dispersal downstream.
During the summer of 2023 and as part of a wider project to eradicate the species along the Rivers Chilt and Stor, the Sussex Wildlife Trust (Storrington and Arun Valley group) coordinated 80 hours of volunteer work to pull up the Himalayan Balsam across West Sussex Golf Club land. Green staff also spent hours strimming the worst areas.
Planning for 2024 is already underway to target removal of further threats to the heathland golf course. Invasive species are considered the second biggest threat to biodiversity globally.
