London Rivers Week 2025: Balsam Bash at Ham Riverside

Join Thames Landscape Strategy for this special London Rivers Week Balsam Bash.

‘Himalayan Balsam’ can damage the health of rivers and the species that depend on them.

We would like for you to help us protect our rivers and help your local river to breathe.

Help your local river to breathe by tackling Himalayan Balsam, which can spread fast and deplete local waterways of its oxygen sources

Let’s get together for a day of fun and community spirit.

Date: Tuesday 3rd June

Time: 6pm-8pm

Register here

Location: Ham Street Car Park

Bring your friends and family for a rewarding experience of pulling up these pesky plants. Gloves and tools will be provided, so just bring your enthusiasm and energy! Let’s make a difference in our environment and have a blast while doing it.

‘Himalayan Balsam’ is an invasive plant species that outcompetes native plants for nutrients, space, light and pollinators (e.g. bees), and therefore reduces native biodiversity. It also has shallow roots and, as it dies back over winter, leaves river banks with little winter vegetation. Both factors increase the risk of river bank erosion, which can allow harmful amounts of soil to enter our rivers. Too much soil in rivers prevents sunlight reaching river plants and reduces the amount of oxygen available for fish and river invertebrates. Himalayan balsam therefore damages the health of rivers and the species that depend on them.

This is a FREE event.

All U18s must be accompanied by an adult.

We are looking forward to seeing you at this event!