At the end of June 2026, Hebden Royd Town Council supported Hebden Royd Green Network partner, Brearley Fields Wetland Group, to pull invasive Himalayan Balsam at Brearley Field Wetland. Volunteers from the group pulled an area of 519 m2, clearing the ground to allow native species of plants to emerge.
This was part of Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) week, where efforts are made to reduce the negative impact that invasive plants have, not only on the environment, but also the economy. By pulling the balsam, the group will reduce flood risk, as balsam takes over and crowds out native plants which have deeper roots and thus improve soil stability.
Also helping with balsam pulling, were Mytholmroyd Scouts, who pulled an area of 150 m2. 21 of the Scouts spent an hour meticulously pulling the balsam to ensure that all of the root system and the entire plant were destroyed. Mytholmroyd Scouts also took part with 23 Cubs pulling an area of 695 m2 and making a pile of balsam six foot high! Plants which are not fully pulled out of the soil can re-root and even regenerate to produce flowers, which when pollinated can set seed. With each balsam plant being capable of reaching three metres in height and producing between 800 to 2,000 seeds, the Scouts appreciated the importance of carrying out this task!
More information about Himalayan Balsam can be found here and why not find out more about Brearley Field Wetland Group and how you can get involved to improve the environment where you live.
