Balsam Bash! Zero experience needed, maximum impact on biodiversity ๐Ÿ’š Green task ๐Ÿ’š

Improve riverside biodiversity by removing the invasive Himalayan balsam

Ealing

Location
Brent Viaduct
London
W13 0AL
Date and time
11:00 - 13:00
Saturday, 16th of May 2026
Who this task will support
Clean Up River Brent
CURB was founded by Ben Morris in October 2021 in response to a significant pollution incident on the Lower Brent, and is part of a growing movement to regenerate the UKโ€™s badly degraded rivers. CURB, working in association with Thames21, and together with local volunteers including LAGER Can has removed around 100 tonnes of rubbish from the river โ€“ including over 500 car tyres โ€“ has initiated an invasive species replacement programme, planting hundreds of reed and rush rhizomes, reports regularly to Thames Water and the Environment Agency on pollution, is building connections with other volunteer groups throughout the Brent Catchment, and is currently trialling a self-started network of water quality sensors with the support of the Environment Agency.

About

Clean Up River Brent (CURB) is organising balsam bash events on the river banks to remove Himalayan balsam - a highly invasive plant threatening biodiversity. This weekend's session is at Sixty Trees Way Bridge.

The focus is uprooting some very dramatic invasive plants which are dominating the river banks. CURB wants to replace them with native species which are more suited for pollution management, river health and wildlife. Read more about balsam busting here!

โœ”๏ธ What is the task?

  • Pulling out the invasive Himalayan balsam plants (no tools needed).

๐Ÿ“ Where?

๐Ÿงค Equipment

  • CURB can provide gloves and wellies - please provide shoe size ahead of the session in the comments or message Kash if you are in the GG Ealing WhatsApp group
  • There might be brambles and nettles. Please come with long-sleeved tops and preferably trousers.

โ›‘๏ธ Safety information

  • Risk: Strain on the back from pulling up balsam: flex the knees
  • Risk: Hidden toxic hogweed among the balsam: gloves, long sleeves, trousers
  • Risk: Slippery paths (depending on previous rainfall)

๐Ÿšป Facilities

  • Nearest toilets: Pear Tree Bistro

How are you getting there?

Meet at the task
I will make my own way to the task
  • Unknown runner

Who's going

  • Kash

Discussion

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Location
Brent Viaduct
London
W13 0AL
Date and time
11:00 - 13:00
Saturday, 16th of May 2026
Who this task will support
Clean Up River Brent
CURB was founded by Ben Morris in October 2021 in response to a significant pollution incident on the Lower Brent, and is part of a growing movement to regenerate the UKโ€™s badly degraded rivers. CURB, working in association with Thames21, and together with local volunteers including LAGER Can has removed around 100 tonnes of rubbish from the river โ€“ including over 500 car tyres โ€“ has initiated an invasive species replacement programme, planting hundreds of reed and rush rhizomes, reports regularly to Thames Water and the Environment Agency on pollution, is building connections with other volunteer groups throughout the Brent Catchment, and is currently trialling a self-started network of water quality sensors with the support of the Environment Agency.
Walkable

As you will make your own way to the task, feel free to walk or run as you wish.

Ideal for beginners

Brent Viaduct
London
W13 0AL

Kash
Led by Kash

Running? Lifting? I'll do that only for GoodGym.

What to look out for

Age Restriction

GoodGym welcomes anyone aged 18 or over. If you are under 18 then you will be unable to participate in any GoodGym activity

Make sure you've read our general guidelines for safety when running and at a task.

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