Early summer at Panshanger is when volunteers tackle the Himalayan Balsam. This is the tall plant with the pink flowers that mainly grows around the lakes and rivers. It is incredibly fast growing and can reach up to two-to-three metres in height, which is taller than most visitors! If allowed to go to seed, its pods can explode and spread over a wide area. While it may be pretty, the Balsam is an incredibly invasive species, it grows very quicky, blocks out light to smaller plants, and produces masses of seeds from every stem. If left unchecked it would lead to a decline in the native plant species; and on the wildlife which depend on them. The Balsams then die off for winter, leaving the exposed river bank to wash away into the river and damage the ecosystem of the chalk stream. So, from June to August you may see groups of volunteers in hi-vis jackets working along the riverbank, clearing and stacking the Balsam by hand.
In late summer, work parties turn their focus to mulching, helping to care for all the newly planted trees in the north of the Park. The first, and possibly hardest task, is to spot the young saplings. Most are not much more than a foot tall and are often hidden amongst the fast growing undergrowth.
Once we spot a tree, we clear the ground around it using loppers to ensure that the sapling has plenty of access to light. We then lay down some fresh mulch to retain moisture, provide nutrients and keep the roots insulated over the winter months.
Work parties are just one of the many activities volunteers can get involved in at Panshanger. We can also act as volunteer wardens for areas of the Park, assist with monitoring and counting of wildlife, help run a wildlife club for children, and participate in the running of events such as the recent Heritage Open Weekend. If you would like to join the team, please click the following link for more details: https://panshangerpark.tarmac.com/volunteering/
This article was written by Panshanger Park volunteer Michelle Galloway.
