Invasive Pennywort Work Party | Between Billingford and Syleham

Come and join our friendly volunteer team working from boats to eliminate this invasive species from the River Waveney. What is the problem? In warmer months, pennywort grows rapidly - as much as 20cm a day. It steals sunlight, smothers habitats and crowds out native plants. It can also cause an increase in water temperature and impede flow, causing oxygen depletion for fish and other wildlife, which in turn impacts food webs. When pennywort dies back in the winter, excessive nutrients can build up in the water and damage ecosystems. What does the group do? Volunteers work with RWT staff generally from their own boats to survey and remove pennywort populations by hand and using rakes. Where are the work parties? Our surveys have only found pennywort populations between Billingford and Syleham along the River Waveney, therefore the tasks are all carried out somewhere along this stretch of the river. The exact meeting point will be planned and shared with the group ahead of each task. When do the volunteers meet? Tasks are every carried out every Friday, however we are now introducing monthly Saturday tasks on the second Saturday of the month. Please get in touch by emailing [email protected] if you have any questions and would like to join the group. Please sign up by midday on Wednesday 11th November in order for us to get everything in place for the task. Requirements for volunteering: • Ideally have access to a boat. • Ideally have access to a buoyancy aid. • Clothing appropriate for the weather and conditions. • Experience canoeing or kayaking. • MUST be able to swim. There might be a possibility to boat share if you have relevant experience and there is space. Please get in touch if you don’t have a boat but would like to join us.