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Events and activities

Below are events and activities that took place during Invasive Species Week 2024. Jump to:

Images from Invasive Species Week 2023: New Forest Non-native Plants Project, Bristol Zoological Society, Angling Trust, Scottish Invasive Species Initiative

Events

Monday 20th May

Talks and webinars:

  • "Introduction to Invasive Species Week". NNSS and Professor Helen Roy (UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology). Watch a recording.  
  • "Understanding alien species through citizen science". Bracknell Forest Natural History Society, UK CEH.

Awareness raising events:

  • Asian hornet: Stay Alert, Take Action, Protect our Pollinators. Chelsea Flower Show. APHA. All week. 
  • Pop-up stand, Langsett Reservoir. Yorkshire Wildlife Trust. 
  • Pop-up stand, Roadford Lake. South West Lakes Trust. 
  • Seqour Detection Dogs at Wimbleball reservoir, Exmoor. South West Water.
  • Be Plant Wise awareness raising at local garden centres. New Forest Non-native Plants Project.
  • Awareness raising stand. Museum of Wales. 

Volunteering:

  • Floating pennywort removal at Stonebridge lock. Paddle UK, Angling Trust and Canal & River Trust. 

Tuesday 21st May

Talks and webinars:

  • "Using eDNA to detect invasive non-native species". NNSS and University of Hull. Watch a recording.  
  • "INNS surveillance and rapid eradication in Scotland". NNSS and NatureScot. Watch a recording
  • "Invasive species in the community". National Biodiversity Data Centre. 
  • "Invasive species and the local authority". National Biodiversity Data Centre. 
  • "Progress towards eradication in Aberdeen; successes to date and challenges ahead". Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels.
  • "A series of talks on conservation detection dogs". Ecology & Detection Dog Britain and Ireland Working Group. 
  • Invasive species talk. Lough Erne Landscape Partnership. 
  • Conservation seminars, Cambridge Conservation Initiative.

Awareness raising events: 

  • Pop-up stand, Roadford Lake. South West Lakes Trust. 
  • Pop-up stand. Museum of Wales. 
  • Boardwalk opening at Countess Wear, Exeter. South West Lakes Trust. 

Training:

  • INNS and biosecurity day for volunteers. Yorkshire Invasive Species Forum. 

Volunteering:   

  • Balsam bash on Cadnam River. New Forest Non-native Plants Project.

Wednesday 22nd May

Talks and webinars:

  • "Non-native Species Inspectorate update". NNSS and Non-native Species Inspectorate, APHA. Watch a recording.
  • "What biosecurity is, why it is important, and how people can get involved to help safeguard our seabirds". Islesburgh Centre, Shetland. Biosecurity for Life.
  • "Invasive non-native species and Be Plant Wise" talk to staff at The Pig hotel. New Forest Non-native Plants Project.
  • Northern Ireland Environment Agency, Lough Erne Landscape Partnership and Fermenagh and Omagh District Council.
  • Invasive non-native mink. Environment Agency

Awareness raising events:         

  • Rockpool event. St Cuthbert's Island, Lindisfarne. Natural England.
  • Pop-up stand. Museum of Wales.
  • Pop-up stand. Adel Dam Nature Reserve and Golden Acre Park, Leeds. Yorkshire Wildlife Trust. 
  • Pop-up stand. Lerwick Museum, Shetland. Biosecurity for Life.
  • Pop-up stand. Roadford Lake. South West Lakes Trust. 
  • Site visit by Chelmer and Blackwater LAG to launch a joint floating pennywort project between Essex Waterways Ltd and Chelmer Canal Trust.Survey 
  • Invasive species survey. Ouse & Adur Rivers Trust.

Volunteering:      

  • Removing Sour Fig (Hottentot Fig) at Rocquaine, Guernsey. The Guernsey Conservation Volunteers.
  • Balsam bash at Millerground. South Cumbria Rivers Trust. 

Thursday 23rd May

Talks and webinars:

  • "Invasive non-native species impacts and response on the island of Anguilla". NNSS, Anguilla Government and Anguilla National Trust. Watch a recording

Awareness raising events:

  • Pop-up stand. Roadford Lake. South West Lakes Trust. 
  • Pop-up stand. Museum of Wales. 
  • Pop-up stand and free guided walk at Prior Park Landscape Garden. National Trust.
  • South West Invasive Species Forum. Canalside Conference Centre, Somerset. South West Water.
  • Local Groups Forum (Invasive Species theme). Mammal Society.

Training: 

  • Invasive species surveying. Colne Valley Visitor Centre.
  • Volunteer training day. Tophill Low Nature Reserve. 

Volunteering:      

  • Floating pennywort removal on the Leeds Liverpool Canal. Angling Trust, Paddle UK, United Utilities and Canal & River Trust.
  • Himalayan balsam removal on River Teifi. 4 Rivers for LIFE project.
  • Balsam bash in community woodland. Medway Valley Countryside Partnership.
  • Balsam bash on Cadnam River. New Forest Non-native Plants Project.

Friday 24th May

Talks and webinars: 

  • "Supporting local action on invasive non-native species: INNS Mapper and the Floating Pennywort Strategy". NNSS, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and the Environment Agency. Watch a recording. 

Awareness raising events:           

  • Pop-up stand, Roadford Lake. South West Lakes Trust. 
  • Pop-up stand and free guided walk at Prior Park Landscape Garden. National Trust.
  • Pop-up stand stand. Museum of Wales. 

Volunteering:     

  • Floating pennywort removal on the Fossdyke Navigation & Catchwater Drain, Lincoln. Paddle UK, Angling Trust, East Mercia Rivers Trust and Rivercare.
  • Balsam bash. Canal & River Trust West Midlands. 
  • Balsam bash. Oxford Island National Nature Reserve.
  • Balsam bash. Aplley Bridge.

Saturday 25th May 

Awareness raising events: 

  • Pop-up stand at York Museum Gardens. NNSS. 
  • Pop-up stand at Leybourne Lakes. Turtle Talley. 
  • Invasive species trail and awareness raising pop up stand. Roadford Lake. South West Lakes Trust. 
  • Invasive species trail, Upper Tamar Lake. South West Lakes Trust. 
  • Invasive species in Merlin Woods. Galway City Council. 
  • Pop-up stand, Mountpanther Farm Park, Downpatrick.
  • Pop-up stand and free guided walk at Prior Park Landscape Garden. National Trust.
  • Engagement event during world fish migratory day, Kelham Island Museum. The Angling Trust. 

Volunteering:    

  • Sour Fig (Hottentot Fig) removal at Burton Battery. The Guernsey Conservation Volunteers. 

Sunday 26th May 

Awareness raising events: 

  • Pop-up stand at Tilgate Park. Turtle Talley. 
  • Invasive non-native species event incuding invasive species on display, children's activities and demonstrations. Carsington Water. Severn Trent. 
  • Invasive species trail and awareness raising pop up stand, Roadford Lake. South West Lakes Trust. 
  • Invasive species trail, Upper Tamar Lake. South West Lakes Trust. 
  • Pop-up stand, Mountpanther Farm Park.

Training:

  • Invasive non-native species tour - learn to identify common terrestrial species. Outwood Nature Trail. Angling Trust. 

Volunteering:    

  • Floating pennywort removal at Leaside Trust. Paddle UK, Angling Trust and Canal & River Trust.
  • Balsam bash at Aplley Bridge, Wigan.
  • Himalayan balsam removal. South Devon Nature Trust. 

Follow up volunteering events 

  • 30th May: Invasive plant removal. Fairford Leys Centre, Aylesbury. River Thame Conservation Trust. 
  • 1st June: Berkhamsted pennywort paddle and pull. 
  • 6th June: 10:00-15:00. Invasive plant removal. Fairford Leys Centre, Aylesbury. River Thame Conservation Trust. Find out more and register
  • 13th June: 10:00-15:00. Invasive plant removal. Fairford Leys Centre, Aylesbury. River Thame Conservation Trust. Find out more and register
  • 23rd June: 10:00-15:00. Invasive plant removal. Fairford Leys Centre, Aylesbury. River Thame Conservation Trust. Find out more and register
  • 27th June: 10:00-15:00. Invasive plant removal. Fairford Leys Centre, Aylesbury. River Thame Conservation Trust. Find out more and register

Other activities

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