Volunteers tackle invasive alien in Portlaoise!
Community Action in Linear Park, Portlaoise as part of the Laois County Council Biodiversity Programme. Lisa Doyle (left, LCC Biodiversity Officer) guiding volunteers from Fingleton White Engineering, Portlaoise. Photo: Michael Scully
STAFF from Fingleton White engineering consultants in Portlaoise took part in a hands-on conservation initiative, as they volunteered to remove invasive Himalayan balsam from the town’s Linear Park.
Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) is a highly invasive non-native plant that spreads rapidly along riverbanks, wetlands and disturbed ground. Its dense growth can outcompete native vegetation, reducing biodiversity and leaving riverbanks vulnerable to erosion when the plant dies back each winter.
The conservation event saw volunteers removing Himalayan balsam before it could set seed, helping to slow its spread and create space for native plants to thrive. The work forms part of ongoing efforts to enhance and protect biodiversity within the Linear Park, an important green corridor for wildlife and people in Portlaoise.
Speaking following the event, Laois Co Council’s biodiversity officer Lisa Doyle said: “The support of Fingleton White is greatly appreciated. Invasive species such as Himalayan balsam pose a significant threat to native habitats and biodiversity.
By volunteering their time this afternoon, participants have made a valuable contribution to the protection and restoration of this important local amenity.”
Himalayan balsam can produce 500 seeds which are dispersed several metres by explosive seed pods and carried further downstream by watercourses. Continued management and community involvement are essential to control its spread and protect native ecosystems.
Laois Co Council encourages community groups, businesses and volunteers to get involved in biodiversity initiatives throughout the county. Practical conservation activities such as invasive species removal help safeguard local habitats while raising awareness of the importance of biodiversity conservation. Email biodiversity@laoiscoco.ie for more information.
Himalayan balsam is listed as an invasive alien species in Ireland and is of EU concern. The plant is a garden escape and commonly grows along riverbanks, streams, wetlands and woodland edges.
Removal is most effective before the plants flower and set seed. The Linear Park forms an important ecological corridor through Portlaoise, supporting a variety of plant and animal species.
The county council’s biodiversity programme works to protect, restore and enhance biodiversity throughout the county through habitat management, community engagement, education, invasive species control and the implementation of the Laois Biodiversity Action Plan.
