SUPPORTING THE SOMERSET WILDLIFE TRUST
This year Japanese Knotweed Ltd will be supporting the Somerset Wildlife Trust to tackle invasive plants in Somerset with a donation to their Christmas Challenge. Donations made between 3rd and 10th December will be matched by the charity.
Staff at Japanese Knotweed Ltd have also been encouraged to participate by making a donation to the cause. As specialists in the invasive species industry, we fully support the need to control invasive plants, and our staff have often participated in volunteering days to clear plants such as Himalayan balsam.
This year, we’ve chosen the Somerset Wildlife Trust because the work they’re doing to promote controlling invasive plants and protecting our native plants is vital as we battle loss of biodiversity.
Rachael Fickweiler, Head of Nature Reserves and Land Management at Somerset Wildlife Trust, said: “Over 2,000 non-native plant and animal species have been introduced to the UK over the years, and while many of these have integrated with our habitats without damaging them, certain species thrive in our climate and can start to dominate our natural spaces. Due to how quickly these invasive species spread, they threaten the survival of native plants and animals, damage our natural ecosystems, and are estimated to cost the economy nearly £2 billion a year. It is vital that we control the spread of non-native invasive plants on our reserves in order to give precious and often vulnerable native species the space they need to survive.”
The trust dedicates significant time and money each year to managing the spread of invasive species. This includes common plants like Himalayan balsam, which spreads quickly along rivers and is difficult to remove; and Japanese knotweed, which re-emerges even after being removed and requires specialist contractors and tools to eradicate.
Somerset Wildlife Trust is aiming to raise £20,000 to combat the rise of non-native invasive plant species. The charity is taking part in the Big Give Christmas Challenge, the UK’s largest match-funding initiative. Donate between 3rd and 10th December and your contribution will be matched by the charity!
If you’d like to join in you can DONATE HERE.