Invasive Species Week in the Westcountry takes place from June 22 to June 28. Led by the GB Non-Native Species Secretariat (NNSS), the campaign focuses on raising awareness about destructive non-native plants and animals, and getting communities involved in hands-on biosecurity and local control efforts.

The temperate, damp climate of the Westcountry provides an ideal habitat for several highly invasive species. Himalayan Balsam is a fast-growing plant that smothers native vegetation along riverbanks including those in the Tamar catchment and forces out local wildlife.

Organise work partis before the seeds set, leave the plants to rot down.