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Big Dee Day – The Invasion Launch

Published: 11/07/2014

The fight against invasive non-native species has begun with the launch of Big Dee Day – The Invasion in Wrexham. Community leaders, champions of the environment and members of the public joined forces at various launch events over the weekend to start removing Himalayan Balsam, Japanese knotweed and Chinese mitten crab from along the banks of the River Dee. A month-long series of events, open to everyone across the region will carry on throughout July. The efforts of the public will help tackle alien invaders right across the Dee catchment, from the river’s source in Snowdonia National Park right through Cheshire to the Dee estuary. Councillor Carolyn Thomas, Chair of the Joint Advisory Board for the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB and Flintshire Biodiversity Champion said: “The project to clear Himalayan Balsam from the countys waterways has been very successful over the last six years and we have had fantastic support from local communities in successfully fighting back against this alien invader. “Himalayan Balsam stops other plants growing causing erosion of the riverbanks and natural habitat so it’s important to remove as much as possible.” “The fight is ongoing and there are lots of opportunities for volunteering so please contact our local biodiversity officer for more information on how you can help.” Five local authority Countryside Services, Snowdonia National Park Authority, the DINNS Project, Keep Wales Tidy, the Welsh Dee Trust, the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB, Chester Zoo, Record, Cofnod and Natural Resources Wales are involved in organising the event. A calendar of events is available and events across the region will be updated daily on www.facebook.com/bigdeedaytheinvasion Events local to Flintshire include: Saturday 19 July - Beat the Balsam - Caergwrle from 3pm to 5pm. Meet Caergwrle Car Park, High Street. Please wear suitable outdoor clothing, wellies and gloves, refreshments will be available. The event is free but booking is essential. Saturday 26 July - Balsam Pull and Litter Pick - Swinchiard Brook, Flint. For details about local events contact Sarah Slater on 01352 703263 or email sarah.slater@flintshire.gov.uk For more information on the project contact Meryl Norris, DINNS project officer at North Wales Wildlife Trust on 01352 755472 or email merylnorris@wildlifetrustswales.org Photo captions: Picture 3 L-R: Amy Green, (Biodiversity Officer, Flintshire County Council) with Councillor Huw Jones (Denbighshire Biodiversity Champion) at Ty Mawr Country Park in Wrexham. Picture 6 L-R: Councillor Carolyn Thomas (chair of the Joint Advisory Board for the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB and Flintshire Biodiversity Champion), Councillor Ian Roberts (Wrexham County Borough Council, Lead manager for the environment), Councillor Huw Jones (Denbighshire Biodiversity Champion), Richard Lucas (The Welsh Dee Trust), Meryl Norris (Dee INNS Project Officer, North Wales Wildlife Trust) at Ty Mawr Country Park in Wrexham. Picture 7: Meryl Norris (Dee INNS Project Officer, NWWT) demonstrating the stem injection treatment to control Japanese Knotweed at Ty Mawr Country Park in Wrexham.