Catherine Chatters was nominated to attend the prestigious event by a member of staff from DEFRA’s invasive non-native plants section in recognition of her hard work and achievements as Project Officer for the New Forest Non-Native Plants Project.
The nomination was successful and upon receiving an invitation Catherine chose to invite Wildlife Trust colleague, Jo Gore, as her guest. The pair attended the Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace on Thursday 31 May.
Catherine said: “It was a wonderful event; we both thoroughly enjoyed it and felt very privileged to be there. We saw The Queen, Prince William and Princess Eugenie. Although Jo and I attended as Wildlife Trust staff representing the New Forest Non-Native Plants Project, we feel that the success of our project is due to other colleagues and all of the wonderful volunteers and landowners who support us.”
The Trust’s Chief Executive, Debbie Tann, added: “What a fabulous experience for you both – a well-deserved accolade for a brilliant project.”
The New Forest Non-Native Plants Project is turning the tide against the spread of invasive non-native plants in the New Forest, particularly along watercourses and wetland habitats. The New Forest is a crucial area for wildlife but it is threatened by invasive non-native plants such as Himalayan balsam and giant hogweed.
Our ongoing efforts are helping to control the spread of these vigorous invaders and protect habitats for native plants and wildlife. The project’s achievements have been made possible due to the enormous effort contributed by local volunteers. Last year, 337 individuals volunteered to pull Himalayan balsam on work parties along riverbanks in the New Forest, amounting to an astounding 3,288 hours of their time.
Calmore Guides pulling Himalayan balsam along the Cadnam River © Catherine Chatters
Himalayan balsam © Lianne de Mello
With the support of these volunteers and our funders, partner organisations and contractors we really are making a difference. Where there used to be carpets of Himalayan balsam at some sites along the Cadnam River, we are now finding very few plants this summer. The dense stands of Himalayan balsam have been replaced by a lovely mix of native woodland wildflowers such as bluebells, yellow archangel, pignut, celandine, and red campion.
If you have a bit of time to spare and are interested in volunteering with the New Forest Non-Native Plants Project this summer to pull Himalayan balsam along river banks, please contact Catherine at Catherine.Chatters@hiwwt.org.uk or on 07770 923315 to request a list of work parties.
Find out more about the New Forest Non-Native Plants Project.
