Embedded Files
Join trained staff and other volunteers in protecting and restoring the River Lea by removing invasive Himalayan balsam from the river banks in and around Luton.
Join trained staff and other volunteers in protecting and restoring the River Lea by removing invasive Himalayan balsam from the river banks in and around Luton.
Summary
Summary
Summer time is balsam bashing time. Join this friendly, practical and energetic conservation task (no experience needed). Guidance on the day from the staff at each lead organisation. Please wear sturdy footwear and weather-appropriate clothing. Bring water, lunch and gloves if you prefer your own. All tools and equipment provided. Pick a day, choose a session and contact the organiser to join.
Why remove Himalayan balsam (balm)?
Why remove Himalayan balsam (balm)?
Introduced to the UK in the 1800s from northern India as a garden plant, Himalayan Balsam is fast-growing and spreads quickly through explosive seed pods. With its seeds travelling downstream, riverbanks have become infested and eroded by the plant, which is our largest annual, reaching heights of 2 to 3m. The plant dominates riverbanks, overshadowing native flora and the stability that their roots provide. In turn, riverbanks become eroded and lose the vital and varied space needed for the survival of many wildlife species. (Source: Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust)
Getting here
Getting here
Address
Address
This conservation activity takes places at different locations along the River Lea and its tributaries in and around Luton. You'll received the exact meeting locations once you've signed up. The sessions are run by 3 different organisations. Groundwork East, TCV and Luton Council's Conservation Volunteers. Contact each provider to book on to a session (see How to book]
Summer 2026 dates:
Summer 2026 dates:
Weds 20 May - Houghton Brook - Groundwork
Sun 24 May - Lewsey Brook - TCV
Weds 27 May - Houghton Brook - Groundwork
Sun 31 May - Lewsey Brook - TCV
Weds 3 June - Houghton Brook - Groundwork
Weds 10 June - Houghton Brook - Groundwork
Sun 14 June - Lewsey Brook - TCV
Weds 17 June - Houghton Brook - Groundwork
Sun 21 June - Houghton Brook - TCV
Mon 22 June - Limbury Meads - LBC
Wed 24 June - Houghton Brook - Groundwork
Mon 29 June - Riverside Park - LBC conservation volunteers
Weds 1 July - Houghton Brook - Groundwork East
Mon 6 July - Fallowfield - LBC conservation volunteers
Sun 19 July - TBC - TCV
Sun 26 July - TBC - TCV
Sun 9 August - TBC - TCV
Catsbrook near Limbury Meads - one of the River Lea tributaries
How to book
How to book
To book each session contact the organisation for the date that you're interested. Contact details are as follows:
The Conservation Volunteers (TCV): Email Katherine Miskin on k.miskin@tcv.org.uk
Groundwork East: Email Adam Asquith on adam.asquith@groundwork.org.uk
Luton Council Conservation Volunteers: Email Sam Mostyn-Willis on parskvolunteers@luton.gov.uk
Volunteers wading in the River Lea at Riverside Park
Who can join activities here?
Who can join activities here?
Anyone over 18 can join this activity.
Opening times
Opening times
The sessions take place:
Sundays 10am to 3pm
Mondays 10am to 3pm
Wednesdays 10am to 1pm
Facilities
Facilities
There are no toilets at the sites.
Accessibility
Accessibility
Activities include wading in the river lea, and climbing down steep river banks.
Costs
Costs
Taking part is free.
About the staff
About the staff
Activities are led by trained members of Luton Borough Council's Conservation Volunteers, Groundwork East and The Conservation Volunteers (TCV), depening who is leading the session.
Good to know
Good to know
Dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes.
You might get the chance to don some waders and walk in the river - a great experience!
Bring some bottled water with you to keep hydrated.
Bring your own lunch.
Bring your own gloves if you prefer your own.
You will receive instructions for each location from the organiser.
More about the organisers
More about the organisers
Luton Council's Parks and Countryside Service looks after Luton's public parks and natural spaces. It offers volunteering opportunities to help make our parks and green spaces more accessible, enjoyable and biodiverse. Participants can gain new skills and experiences with the the Conservation Volunteers and the Wardown Park volunteer gardeners.
Parks volunteering information on the Luton Council website
Apply to be a Luton Parks and Countryside volunteer
Groundwork East is a community and environment charity working across the East of England to change places and lives. They have been championing practical community action that benefits the natural world since 1985, running programmes to transform unloved green spaces, getting people outside to enjoy the natural world and supporting businesses to reduce their environmental impact.
Every programme and service they provide is tailored to the needs of the communities they serve. In Luton, they’ve been active for decades, offering many opportunities for families and adults to get involved in gardening at Memorial Park, as well as nature conservation activities along the River Lea.
Groundwork East website
Groundwork East on Eventbrite
You can also sign up to the Groundwork East Luton and Bedfordshire newsletter.
The Conservation Volunteers (TCV)
Since 1959, TCV have been a charity creating opportunities for people to create, improve and care for nature in the green spaces around them across the UK.
A variety of projects cover a bit of everything involving nature. Volunteers muddy their boots in parks, community gardens, woodland, sites of special scientific interest, nature reserves, schools and hospital grounds, helping create a glorious network of protected green space across the UK
More at: TCV in Bedfordshire
Still have a question?
Still have a question?
For general questions about this activity, contact the Luton Health and Nature Partnership.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse