Published: 03/06/2015
Wednesday June 3 2015
A FUN hands–on activity learning about and removing invasive weeds is to take place in near Cleator.
Staff from West Cumbria Rivers Trust will help people “go on the pull” and remove the invasive non–native Himalayan Balsam from Longlands Lake and upstream reaches of the River Ehen.
The event has been organised as part of the North East Copeland/Howgate/Distington Community Lengthsmen Scheme, a partnership funded by the Copeland Community Fund, Home Group, and local parish councils, facilitated by Copeland Borough Council.
The activity follows a number of talks about invasive weeds by West Cumbria Rivers Trust in the North East Copeland area including one to the Neighbourhood Forum in March. The event will allow people to get involved in practical conservation work and gain skills in identifying non-native species. Attending this event could also lead to getting involved in other volunteering and surveying work delivered through the Trust’s community involvement programme.
Councillor Dave Banks, portfolio holder for Customers and Communities, said: “This will be a practical hands on activity for like–minded people to get involved and address environmental issues in our local community. An important aspect of the lengthsmen programme is to equip local people with the knowledge and skills to be able to maintain the environment long term and this kind of activity will contribute towards achieving this.”
Himalayan Balsam is a fast growing annual plant from the west and central Himalayas which has damaging impacts to the environment by outcompeting native plants for light, water and nutrients. It also exacerbates flooding by impeding water flow during high rainfall. When it dies back in autumn, it leaves bare ground exposed to erosion throughout the winter.
A key objective of the North East Copeland Community Lengthsmen Scheme is to educate and up-skill the community on environmental issues. Parishes involved include Cleator Moor, Arlecdon and Frizington, Ennerdale and Kinniside, Lamplugh, and Weddicar. The scheme also incorporates two Parishes in the Howgate & Distington locality, these being Moresby and Parton.
The event takes place on Tuesday 30 June from 6pm until 7.30pm. Everyone should meet at Longlands Lake Car Park, Cleator.
The activity is open to those from participating parishes in North East Copeland, Howgate and Distington. Those aged 16 and under should be accompanied by an adult. Gloves, long sleeve clothing and outdoor footwear is recommended.
To book a place, contact Chris Pickles, one of the Council’s Community Regeneration Officers, on 0845 054 8600 or at chris.pickles@copeland.gov.uk.
Ends
Notes for Editors
- · For media enquiries, please contact Leila Cox on 01946 598315.
- · Copeland Borough Council – Proud of our past. Energised for our future.
- · Copeland Borough Council’s vision – Working to improve lives, communities and the prosperity of Copeland.
- · Regen North East Copeland is the accountable body for the lengthsman scheme and award winning social enterprise Works 4 You is funded to provide a parish environmental worker who supports the scheme on a day to day basis.
