Sara King BSc (Hons) MCIEEM

Himalayan Balsam is a non-native invasive species, and is commonly found along river banks and watercourses. The species is listed in Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, under which it is an offence to plant or otherwise cause to grow the plant in the wild. The species spreads quickly on sites as it out-competes native wildlife and spreads rapidly.  The plant spreads using its seed pods, which explode when touched scattering seeds up to 7m away.  Seeds are also spread by water and may remain viable within the soil for up to two years (Environment Agency, 2010). 

Ecosulis recently donated 500 dormouse tubes to the Somerset Wildlife Trust, which were previously used on one of our large infrastructure projects. The tubes will be used within dormouse monitoring schemes and other initiatives by the trust. Monitoring works are undertaken to provide an indication of population size and the health of dormouse populations in Somerset and the south west.