MCA Staff volunteering at the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust (HIWWT)

10 MCA staff changed their focus from sea to rivers last month to help rid New Forest waterways of invasive plants.
The Himalayan balsam pull marked the start of a partnership between the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and the New Forest National Park Authority to raise awareness of volunteering and opportunities for the public to both look after and be safe on the National Park coast.
Staff and volunteers taking part in the Himalayan balsam pull at Lymington Reedbeds Nature Reserve


 Sir Alan Massey, Chief Executive of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said: ‘As an agency, we know the value of volunteers – our Coastguard Rescue Teams are made up of those who selflessly give up their time to keep people safe on the coast. We value their contribution and know the difference it makes. It’s why we encourage our staff at the MCA to look at how they might bring something extra to the communities they live and work in as volunteers. I was delighted to hear from those involved in this project how much they felt they had gained personally by giving of their time.’

 Jim Mitchell, Interpretation and Outreach Officer for the New Forest National Park Authority said: ‘The volunteers cleared a huge amount of balsam in just a few hours. It was great to join them and see the difference they made. Both the National Park and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency realise what an important role volunteering plays along our coasts. There are lots of opportunities for people to get involved in volunteering in the Forest, including more river conservation sessions coming up over the summer’.

 Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust’s Jo Gore organised the volunteering day as part of the New Forest Non-Native Plants project. She said: ‘It was fantastic to have the help of 10 volunteers from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency on the balsam pull at Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust’s nature reserve at Lymington Reedbeds. The team cheerfully pulled balsam throughout the day at this beautiful Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).  By removing the balsam, we are opening up space for a range of native plants to re-establish and this will help to restore the SSSI.’

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