SERT has partnered with CGI to to develop a new approach to catchment-scale detection of the invasive plant, Himalayan Balsam.
We need your help to record balsam locations and images of the flowering plant to help train the detection model to pick up areas of Himalayan balsam from high resolution satellite imagery.
Himalayan balsam is particularly damaging for river systems, it spreads easily along riverbanks, outcompeting native plants and destabilising the banks.
This free training session will teach you how to identify Himalayan balsam and record it using the specially designed app.
We will have a short classroom based session, followed by a short visit to the river to practice using the app.
Following the training, there is no requirement to survey a particular length or location of river but once you have received the training, we are hoping that volunteers will be able to use the app to record flowering balsam (most likely throughout the month of July).
Using satellite imagery, machine learning, and citizen science, we can enable targeted control efforts from upstream to downstream and improve the long-term effectiveness of invasive species management.
Location: Knights Park, Kingston University, Grange Rd, Kingston upon Thames KT1 2QJ
What to bring: You will need a smart phone. Please wear appropriate clothes and footwear. You may want to bring a bottle of water.
BOOKING ESSENTIAL – please RSVP using the link below and complete the form to secure your spot:
https://www.southeastriverstrust.org/event/himalayan-balsam-mapping-training-session-hogsmill-river/
In the event of poor weather, this activity may need to be rescheduled. We will notify all attendees by phone/email if this occurs.
Please check your junk mail for event confirmation emails and other updates.
Booking for this event will close at 5pm on Tuesday 1st July.
Under 18’s must be accompanied by a parent/guardian, please make sure they also book a space.
Please email
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Also check out other Workshops in Kingston upon Thames.
