🌿💥 Balsam Bashing Bonanza in Sunnydale Park! 💥🌿
Join us for a satisfying session of pulling, yanking, and restoring nature’s balance — it’s Himalayan Balsam season, and Sunnydale needs your helping hands!
Help us restrict the growth of Himalayan Balsam in the streams of Sunnydale Park. It is an invasive plant that has significant negative impact to our parks.
Bring a garden spade/fork and some wellie boots to come and help us control this within our beautiful Sunnydale.
Meet by the bridge at Sunnydale Pond.
There are 36 species of concern in the UK, invasive plants and animals that have been introduced to our countryside that have no natural controls and spread without mercy. Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) is an invasive species.
Himalayan balsam can dominate habitats, its canopy blocks out light, restricting the growth of native flora. Pollinators are attracted to balsam blossom in preference to other flowers, this reduces the species diversity of plants and the vertebrates and invertebrates that would use them by affecting local ecosystems and food webs. It alters soil conditions, as being shallow rooted once the balsam dies back there’s less soil binding, increasing the risk of erosion and the siltation of watercourses. It blocks access to paths and waterways, costing time and money to clear it from affected areas.
Our award-winning Green Flag Local Nature Reserve is facing a floral invasion, and we’re teaming up to tackle it, one satisfying tug at a time.
📍 Where: Meet by the Pond Notice board in Sunnydale Park
🧤 Bring: Sturdy boots or wellies, long sleeves, gloves if you have them — and water to stay refreshed
🛠️ We’ll Provide: Extra gloves, bin bags, plenty of know-how and a brilliant community buzz
🌱 What’s Balsam Bashing?
Himalayan Balsam is an invasive plant that spreads quickly and crowds out native species. But good news: it’s easy to pull, incredibly satisfying, and makes a real difference to our local environment.
👨👩👧👦 Everyone welcome! Under-16s should come with a responsible adult
💪 No experience? No worries! It’s simple, safe, and we’ll show you exactly what to do.
🌳 Why It Matters
By bashing balsam, you’re protecting Sunnydale’s precious habitats, supporting local wildlife, and helping this beautiful park thrive. Plus, it’s surprisingly fun and a great stress-buster!
Let’s come together, get stuck in, and keep our crown park blooming with biodiversity.
#BalsamBash #SunnydalePark #GreenFlagPride #NatureHeroes #CommunityAction #DerbyParks #InvasivePlantPatrol
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