Weed Walks 2009
Japanese Knotweed Solutions undertook the first ‘Weed Walk’ of 2009 last week and it was a great success (even if I say so myself!)…
The idea of the ‘Walk’ was to see invasive weeds in their natural (or should that be ‘unnatural’) environment. The feedback that we get from our clients has suggested that even with identification photographs and detailed descriptions some people still have problems identifying plants when they are on site.
It is quite common for people to confuse Japanese Knotweed with Himalayan balsam and to get mixed up with the various forms of Hogweed - particularly in early stages of growth.
Last weeks walk was attended by Local Authorities, Environmental Consultants and Landscape Architects - all of whom benefited from hands on identification of the various stages of plant growth enabling them to identify the various invasive weeds easily.
Discussion centred on management issues and funding with the main focus being on where money should be best spent - whether to tackle individual areas or providing a covering strategy document. Unfortunately with cut backs to government spending it is difficult to see invasive plants being a priority. This plays right into the hands of the alien species which will continue to spread unchecked without serious action taken to manage and control them.
I feel that the first step to controlling the issue of invasive weeds is to be aware of the problem and to produce survey information detailing where invasive weeds have been spotted. What can be measured can be managed - with a countrywide strategy in place then we can begin to fight back. Currently nobody really understands the scale of the problem therefore no answer can be forthcoming and we all continue plugging away at the problem with small scale control strategies - I feel perhaps we are missing the bigger picture!
The attendees are now aware of the scale of the problems and the complexity in resolving the issues raised! We have started dialogue with several Local Authorities and perhaps something will result if the people holding the purse strings can be made aware of the problems….we shall see??
If you are interested in attending our next ‘Weed Walk’ please contact Helen Todd on 0161 723 2000.
