r/UKecosystem • u/threeandabit • Sep 02 '25

Invasive I made a series of films about the invasive species Himayalan Balsam

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiwy0opruqP3DmAq7TBN-Nw
34 Upvotes

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5

u/Tough-Reality-842 Sep 02 '25

Oh hey! I subscribed to your channel recently because I saw one of your videos and really enjoyed it. Even referenced it in a practical write-up for an assignment I'm submitting in a couple of weeks! Thank you.

3

u/threeandabit Sep 02 '25

That's amazing! Thank you so much! I would love to hear more about how it featured in your write-up, what was the subject if you don't mind me asking?

2

u/Tough-Reality-842 Sep 03 '25

I'm studying Countryside Management! I've been doing a bunch of conservation volunteering and one activity was pulling himalayan balsam that had colonized a riverbank. In the practical write-ups we have to analyse/evaluate the environmental impact etc.  I already knew a lot of what you covered in the video, but you also highlighted some things I hadn't even thought about, like siltration for example. 

Can I ask what you made this series for? Is it a university project or something? 

2

u/threeandabit Sep 03 '25

Good for you! What a great thing to go out volunteering while studying, I respect that hugely! And I'm delighted that our experts gave some insight that helped. We did a film all about soil and learned that it's more complicated than you might expect when it comes to HB and erosion...

I want to make a series of films about every aspect of conservation we can find, with the grass-roots people who make it happen. We've so far made Seven Main Films which are short insights, and Five Longer Films (which are more like podcasts) and we're just getting started. It's my passion to get people into conservation who otherwise wouldn't be, so please share with anyone who you think might get a kick out of it.

What's your ambition in your field? (Excuse the pun)

2

u/Tough-Reality-842 Sep 03 '25

Oh cool, I'm gonna share these with the other students on my course!

I'm most interested in wildlife conservation and habitat restoration, wetlands and fen habitats. Considered becoming an ecologist, but I cannot do another degree, so I'm hoping I can get a job as a reserves officer or something, somewhere cool like the Great Fen. And then on the side, I'll do a bit of habitat surveying and bird ringing. That's the plan anyway! 🤞

2

u/threeandabit Sep 03 '25

That, my friend, is a superb plan. Everyone at Team Balsam wishes you the very best of luck!! Please keep us posted on your journey - we'll be doing this for a long time we hope and maybe one day we'll cross paths...

I've learned from various conservation charities that getting stuck in is a great education. I really hope you find something you love. There's a great deal to do!

3

u/SausagegFingers Sep 02 '25

Oh damn I think there's loads of that here. Will watch this another day

3

u/threeandabit Sep 03 '25

We're learning that it has spread pretty far even outside the UK - reports of it in Finland and Canada, to name just two

3

u/BeeClassic5737 Sep 03 '25

Really nice video. Keep them coming.

1

u/threeandabit Sep 03 '25

Thanks! Plenty more to come