The Bollin Native Rivers Project is a DEFRA-funded initiative focused on invasive species control in the River Bollin catchment, Cheshire. With £30,000 of funding over two years, the project built on long-term management efforts established through BEACON, a Local Action Group hosted by Mersey Rivers Trust, which began tackling INNS in the catchment in 2011. BEACON’s focus has been on controlling Giant Hogweed, Japanese Knotweed, and Himalayan Balsam, which are widespread across the catchment.
During the project, 1,994.75 hours of INNS control were completed, covering 25 km of riverbank. Twenty-one new volunteers were recruited, and six individuals were trained in herbicide application to support the work.
The funding also supported:
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Surveys of new areas in the catchment
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Digitisation of INNS maps and management history
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Support for community groups taking local action
Public awareness was raised through educational signage, posters, and engagement events with landowners and local residents.
The next steps for INNS control on the River Bollin are to expand INNS control coverage within the catchment, working with landowners such as the National Trust and United Utilities to access new areas of land not previously managed.
Bollin Native Rivers
Bollin Native Rivers
Bollin Native Rivers
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