Frome’s team of volunteer rangers recently worked with the council’s ranger team to remove large quantities of invasive Himalayan Balsam from the newly purchased Adderwell Water Meadow. The land, adjacent to The Retreat, secures a continuous ‘river corridor’ with access to the river from Wallbridge to Blatchbridge, thanks to a crowdfunding campaign by Friends of the River Frome, working with the town council.
In addition to its geographic importance, the land has great value for biodiversity as it floods naturally for part of the year. The removal of Himalayan Balsam is another step towards supporting the ecosystem and helping wildlife to thrive.
Although pretty, Himalayan balsam is a non-native species that causes soil corrosion, making it harmful to the other flora around it, appearing on the Species of Special Concern and the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. There are restrictions on growing, selling, cultivating and transporting it.
Cllr Mark Dorrington said: “Our rangers do a fantastic job all over town, but for a job like this, extra hands are very much needed, which is where the brilliant volunteer ranger team come in. Removing Himalayan Balsam is a pretty big job, but being a volunteer ranger doesn’t have to be like that – sessions are fortnightly and there are a range of tasks. It’s also a great opportunity to get out and about, meet new people and learn new skills. Get in touch if you’d like to know more.”
Work at the water meadow aims to maintain it in a healthy state and support biodiversity, including the beaver population sighted in the area, as well as provide people with uninterrupted access to walk by the river across the whole town.
If you are interested in the environment, gardening or wildlife, the rangers are always looking for more volunteers, including during the winter months for mulching and coppicing. To find out more about becoming a volunteer ranger, email Asia Pryjda apryjda@frometowncouncil.gov.uk.
