Comprehensive Overview

Learn everything about Himalayan Balsam in the UK, from its identification to successful management techniques.

Hands-on Techniques

Explore practical methods like hand pulling, brush cutting, and using mechanised equipment to control the invasive species.

Cost-Effective Solutions

Understand the costs and efficacy of each management technique to make informed decisions for efficient control.

About the Course

Join us in this accredited course to gain a deep understanding of Himalayan Balsam and its management. Learn how to identify, control, and benefit from managing this invasive plant species. Take the first step towards becoming an expert in invasive plant management today.

Meet Your Expert Instructor

Hi, I’m Simon Ernstsons, founder of Countryside Science and your instructor for this course. I’ve worked in the environmental and land-based sector for over 20 years, specialising in invasive species management both in the UK and internationally. My background includes scientific research, practical fieldwork, and delivering training for organisations like LANTRA. I’m passionate about making ecological knowledge accessible, practical, and grounded in real-world experience. Whether you're new to the topic or refreshing your skills, I’m here to help you feel confident in managing Himalayan Balsam effectively and sustainably.

Course Curriculum

15 Chapters · 59 Lessons

  1. 1

    Introduction: Start here!

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Disclaimer and Review Statement

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Training and Competence Statement

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      GDPR Statement

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      About Lantra Accreditation

    5. Welcome! Free preview
    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Course Structure

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      How to download and use the workbook

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      Download the workbook here

  2. 2

    All about Himalayan balsam

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      An introduction to Himalayan balsam

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      What are INNS?

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      What is Himalayan balsam?

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      From the Himalayas to Hertfordshire

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Distribution across Great Britain and Ireland

  3. 3

    Becoming a successful invader

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Himalayan balsam and the public

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Characteristics and invasive traits

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      The un-natural advantage

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Monocultures

  4. 4

    What invasion looks like

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Colonisation at a local level

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Colonisation and erosion

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Himalayan balsam dominance

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      The consequences of invasion

  5. 5

    Identification

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      The importance of correct identification

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Seeds

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Leaves

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      The stem

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Flowers

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Seed dispersal

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      The roots

  6. 6

    The role of seeds in management

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      An annual view

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Secondary germination

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      The seed bank

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Why two cuts are better than one

  7. 7

    Before starting practical work

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Management and legislation

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Introduction to management

  8. 8

    Manual techniques

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Hand pulling

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Hand tools

  9. 9

    Mechanical techniques

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Mowing

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Brushcutting and trimming

  10. 10

    Chemical techniques

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Introduction to pesticides

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Glyphosate herbicide

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      What is glyphosate?

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Glyphosate application summary

  11. 11

    Management overview

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Key principles

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      What to do if it returns

  12. 12

    The most common mistakes

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      "It is only a problem in wet areas"

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      "You only need one cut"

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      "Two cuts will definitely work"

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Priorities

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      "Just cut the heads off"

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      "Some management is better than none"

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      "Nature will balance out"

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      Myth: "Himalayan balsam cannot be eradicated"

  13. 13

    Final message

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Himalayan balsam is beatable!

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      About the final quiz test

  14. 14

    Final Quiz

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Final quiz

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Congratulations!

  15. 15

    Supplementary Infomation

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Acknowledgements & Course Development

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Image Credits & Copyright Notice

Ready to Take Control?

Join now to gain a comprehensive understanding of Himalayan Balsam and become confident in managing this invasive species effectively.

£100.00

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