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Exploring Eden

Our BIGGEST balsam bash yet sees off 500,000 invasive plants

05/11/2025 3 min read

We've wrapped up our 2025 Big Balsam Bash with a major milestone—removing nearly half a million Himalayan balsam plants from the Eden river catchment, doubling the impact of last year’s campaign.

Himalayan balsam is an invasive non-native species (INNS) with showy pink flowers and prolific growth. Its dominance along Eden’s riverbanks and footpaths crowds out native plants that are essential for stabilising riverbanks and supporting native wildlife. 

This year, more communities than ever have joined forces with us to reclaim our riverbanks from this invader. From Carlisle to Warcop, volunteers of all ages have rolled up their sleeves, pulling and bashing an astonishing 470,580 plants, and their hard work is being recognised. 

Andrew Parkinson, Warcop Parish Council Chair said: 

“Congratulations on a brilliant season of balsam bashing. We know the difference it has made in our Parish so the overall impact in the areas you cover is fantastic.”

We launched a new initiative this year, encouraging volunteers to sign up as ‘Balsam Bailiffs’. The first four took to Eden’s waterways, removing thousands of balsam plants and contributing 208 hours of volunteering in their spare time. 

Map of the Eden catchment showing the locations where we have bashed balsam in 2025

Summing up this year’s Big Balsam Bash campaign, Ali Penny, our Invasive Species Officer, said:

“After the success of 2024, we set out to go even bigger—and we did just that. Thanks to the incredible dedication of our volunteers and communities, we’ve removed twice as many plants this year. 
 

“Tackling this invasive species is a huge challenge, but our collective effort is even more powerful. We couldn’t have done it without them and the support of The National Lottery Heritage Fund as part of the Access to Eden: Breaking barriers, building bridges project and Westmorland and Furness Council’s Climate and Nature Partnership Fund.”

How you can help

We're busy planning for 2026, and you can get involved: 

  • Report Sightings: INNS Mapper is a free phone app created by the Yorkshire Invasive Species Forum, and by reporting sightings, you can help ERT plan where to tackle next. It's free to download from your app store or at: https://innsmapper.org/home
  • Organise a Community Group: Register your community with our Big Balsam Bash 2026 to receive information and help to organise a Balsam Bashing event where you live. Email [email protected]
  • Register as a Volunteer: Sign up and be the first to hear about next spring/summer’s balsam bashing events. Find out more at: https://edenriverstrust.org.uk/volunteer/

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