A TEAM of gardeners from Lovell Partnerships joined forces with staff from South Lanarkshire Council to help beat back an invasive plant species from a park in Hamilton.
The ten-strong green-fingered team took part in Himalayan Balsam Bashing, which involves pulling the shallow-rooted plant up by its roots to stop it spreading, at a volunteer day in Low Parks.
Staff from Lovell and South Lanarkshire Council used their volunteer days to take part in the weeding, while also enjoying the chance to get out in the fresh air and to give back to the local community.
The South Lanarkshire Council Park Rangers were on hand with advice and tips on how to get rid of the plant safely and effectively and to show the team of volunteers around the stunning locality.
Himalayan Balsam, also known as Impatiens glandulifera, is a large annual plant, native to the Himalayas, and is considered to be invasive and non-native to the United Kingdom.
Under the Wildlife and Environment (Scotland) Act 2011, it is an offence to introduce the plant into the wild in Scotland.
As an environmentally-focused developer, Lovell is playing a key role in the communities they work in and to working towards Scotland’s ambitious goals for net zero and the environment.
Lovell Regional Managing Director, Kevin McColgan, said: “At Lovell, we’re committed to taking an active role in promoting the environmental welfare and natural beauty of the communities we work with.
“It was great to see our staff rolling up their sleeves to help beat back this invasive species and we thank every one of them for getting stuck in.
“We are also very grateful to South Lanarkshire Council staff, especially the Park Rangers, for their help, guidance, and support and we very much enjoyed working with them on the day.”
Sharon Egan, Head of Housing Services at South Lanarkshire Council, said: “Housing is not just about buildings, it is also about people and communities, and this is a great example of that philosophy in practice.
“The effort put in on the day by the volunteers, and their desire to be there doing it, showed how working together in partnership and caring about the community beyond the housing development can enhance people’s lives in a meaningful way.
“I am delighted by this selfless work that will benefit the local surroundings and the enjoyment of open spaces by local people.”
Lovell, part of Morgan Sindall Group plc, is a leading provider of partnership and open-market housing.
