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Paddlers pull together to tackle Invasive Non Native Species
24 - 30 May 2021 marks Invasive Non Native Species Week , which aims to highlight the issue of non native invasive species living in our waterways posing issues including river blockages and flooding as well as harming , and even killing , our native wildlife . www . britishcanoeing . org . uk
As lockdown restrictions ease , some paddling clubs have joined forces with the likes of the Canal and River Trust and the Environment Agency to remove a number of invasive species from waterways such as the River Stort and Medway .
British Canoeing , alongside the Angling Trust , have also received funding from Defra to recruit two Environmental Project Officers to work directly with canoe and angling clubs in the Thames region . The Project Officers will coordinate a network of volunteers to survey , monitor and action the removal of floating pennywort in waterways around the Thames area . They ’ ll work closely with strategic partners and local clubs to tackle the weed in the Thames catchment , coordinate volunteers , provide training , guidance and promote the project .
The River Colne is a major tributary to the River Thames . Paddlers from The Sharks Canoe Club in conjunction with Colne Valley Regional Park , have been busy removing floating pennywort from the river before it reaches the Thames . The issue of invasive non native species in our waterways and outstanding work by the club was highlighted by BBC Countryfile who went along to join the paddlers and film their work earlier this year .
Chloe Crompton , Heritage Lottery Funding River Project Manager for Groundwork South said : “ The Colne Valley Regional Park is plagued with widespread , dense mats of floating pennywort which is causing havoc on our rivers , negatively impacting aquatic ecosystems and preventing access to the water for recreation .
“ The Sharks Canoe Club are an impressive force and have been rearing to tackle the pennywort issue from the get go . Working together with our River Rangers at Groundwork South , Sharks ’ excellent paddlers are out on the water removing pennywort into canoes and attaching grapple hooks so the volunteers on the bank can pull the plant out of the water to decompose in a safe location , far from the water ’ s edge .
“ Although our plans were postponed due to Covid-19 restrictions , we will be out in full force this spring working with skilled paddlers and river rangers to remove this pesky plant . I ’ m very excited to join forces with the Sharks Canoe Club and tackle the pennywort challenge . Together we can deal with this invasion so everyone can enjoy the wonders of water across the Colne Valley Regional Park .”
Water suppliers , Affinity Water , have also indicated their support for the work on the Colne by purchasing new open canoes to aid with floating pennywort removal , as well as donating 100 hours of their staff time to the cause .
Invasive Non Native Species Week
24-30 May 2021