Invasive Species

In common with other Norfolk and Suffolk catchments, the Waveney has many invasive non-native species.

A recent successful funding bid to the Anglian Water Invasive Species Fund allowed the purchase of kit to tackle the spread of invasive pennywort on the upper reaches of the Waveney. The above video shows our Rivers Project Officer out with volunteers at the end of June 2022. Control will be carried out regularly from the bank and from canoes over summer 2022. If you are interested in helping out you can contact Katie Utting, Rivers Project Officer on 07810 214831 katie@riverwaveneytrust.org

In recent years the Trust has been part of efforts to eradicate American mink. The mink predates on water vole and has caused a devastating reduction in this valued native species. The Trust is part of the steering group for Waterlife Recovery East, an ambitious project to eliminate mink from East Anglia.

River Waveney Trust volunteers regularly tackle invasive Himalayan balsam on the river banks - balsam bashing is really effective if carried out on successive years and we have had great success at some sites with keeping this invasive species under control.