Wales Resilient Ecological Network (WaREN)

Tomos is responsible for ensuring that this ambitious project is delivered and an invasive species strategy is developed for Wales. Tomos’ particular interest is in identifying ornamental plants that might escape gardens and become invasive in the wild. That is the focus of his PhD at the University of Reading. A native of Anglesey, he is passionate about engaging the public in environmental issues in Wales and in science communication. Tomos sits on the Media and Communication Working Group for INVASIVESNET and the GB NNSS, and the Public Engagement Working Group for the British Ecological Society.

Email: Tomos.Jones@northwaleswildlifetrust.org.uk

Telephone: 07726358228

Please direct enquiries to the North Wales Project Officer (below).

Gareth is the WaREN Project Officer for North and mid-Wales based at North Wales Wildlife Trust. He is engaging with Local Action Groups and stakeholders dealing with invasive species. Gareth is passionate about bees, particularly bumblebees. He has studied how Agricultural Land Classifications affect bumblebees across the Vale of Clwyd (North Wales). He investigated how both bees and bumblebees are attracted to the flowers of invasive plant species and the potential effects on native floral species.

Email: Gareth.Holland-Jones@NorthWalesWildlifeTrust.org.uk 

Telephone: 07508740561

Welsh Priority Species 

The Invasive Priority Species for Action in Wales list can be split into three action categories:

• Prevention 
• Management 
• Long-term Management 

They are chosen based on horizon scanning, risk analysis, and consultation. Species are included on the list as they are a GB priority species, an Invasive Alien Species of Union Concern, or are a species considered a national priority for Wales. 

Here you can find ID guides and information on all current (2018) Invasive Priority Species for Action in Wales. 

Species Alerts 

Species Alerts are a key part of the early warning and rapid response to a new invasion. They are often used to raise awareness of particular species, inform the public on the action that may be required, and encourage reporting of species sightings. Check out the current Alert Species and where to report sightings on the GB NNSS website.

Reporting 

Recording sightings of invasive species is essential in allowing us to coordinate management and strategically tackle invasive species. In Wales there are four Local Environmental Record Centres (LERCs) where you can report invasive species sightings. You can also use a variety of apps and online tools, such as , such as iRecord or the LERC Wales app.  

A partnership project is currently developing a tool called INNS Mapper for recording invasive species across GB. Importantly this will enable you to record your management efforts. Find out more here.

Download the full Toolkit here! 

Before managing an invasive species, it's really important to think about the follow three points:

• Know your species - what are the characteristics, such as life cycle and dispersal methods of your chosen invasive specices?
• Know your site - what are the characteristics of the habitat or environment – resource availability (e.g., light, water, etc.), level of disturbance, and sources of spread into the area?
• Know your neighbour - who lives near your site? Who might be interested in what you’re doing? What stakeholders in your community could support your work?

Your management actions can all be affected and altered by the species, site, and your neighbours.

Good practice management 

Here we have linked to good practice management guides for all of the Invasive Priority Species for Action in Wales. You can find good practice management information on species not on the Invasive Priority Species for Action in Wales list from organisations such as: GB NNSS, CABI and Invasive Species Northern Ireland. 

Licencing 

You may require a licence to carry out certain activities and manage some invasive species. Find out more about what licences may be required and how to obtain them in Management section of the toolkit.  

Download our Invasive Species Toolkit 

Local Action Groups 

Local Action Groups (LAGs) are volunteer-run community groups set up to tackle local issues, such as, invasive species. LAGs play a crucial role, often carrying out work on the ground and getting directly involved in invasive species management in their area. Without LAGs a collective effort to tackle invasive species would not be possible. You can:

• Find a LAG near you on the GB Non-Native Species Secretariat or
• Follow our simple guide below to setting-up a LAG in your area.

Setting up a LAG

Begin by considering your group’s purpose (the reason you want to set up a LAG), aims (broad targets that you want to achieve) and objectives (how your LAG will achieve its aims). Make your objectives:

Next you’ll need a name! Have you also thought about what members your group requires? At first you may not need many members, but as your group grows you may wish to consider having a member responsible for Health and Safety officer or database management. This allows people with different interests to join in.

Now it’s time to promote your group, find volunteers and keep them engaged! You can do this by: 

You can find more information and download helpful templates, e.g. strategic action plan, governing documents and risk assessments from the project planning section of our toolkit. Or contact one of our project officers for advice.

Now it's time to get tackling invasive species!

Monitoring and managing invasive species 

To effectively and collectively manage invasive species in Wales we need to:

1. Know where invasive species are, and
2. Know whether they are being or have have been tackled.

Surveying 

Surveying is straight forward and used to determine what species are present. Surveys are often the first step towards invasive species control!  Start by trying to identify the upper-most source of the invasive species distribution. Control actions can then be implemented working downstream. 

Management

You must choose the most appropriate management method to successfully and effectively control invasive species. Management methods can typically be split into four categories:

• Mechanical
• Chemical 
• Biological/natural 
• Environmental

Check out or invasive species best practice management section of the Toolkit for species specific advice! 

Don't forget to report your survey data, invasive species sightings and management actions to INNS Mapper. 

Funding 

Check out the project planning section of the Toolkit for more information on what funding opportunities are available or get in touch with one of our project officers for more advice. 

Download our Invasive Species Toolkit 

What is biosecurity?

Biosecurity describes any steps taken to reduce the introduction and spread of invasive species. We can all easily and accidently introduce and transport invasive species through leisure activities e.g. gardening, water sports and hiking. But by implementing simple biosecurity practices such as cleaning equipment and clothing, e.g. cleaning footwear after a walk, we can limit their spread and protect our wildlife! You can find out more about biosecurity here or check out our biosecurity best practices below. 

Biosecurity kit 

Biosecurity is simple! Be sure to clean your kit between sites and make sure to pay attention to any areas that are damp or hard to access.

You can easily put together your own personal biosecurity kit, all you need is:

Biosecurity Risk Assessments 

Before you run any events or activities, it is vital to consider biosecurity and make sure you are not accidently spreading invasive species. You need to assess your activity and sites risk level in order to implement suitable biosecurity best practise measures. To find out more about how to assess you risk level download the biosecurity section of the Toolkit.

Biosecurity Best Practice 

We have developed biosecurity best practice advice for low, medium and high-risk activities/sites.

At low risk sites you need to:

• Wear footwear and clothing that can be easily cleaned
• Clean your footwear and ensure it is free of any soil or organic debris after use
• Only take the required equipment onto site
• Ensure you have your personal biosecurity kit
• Only access areas of the site that are required for the activity

To find out more about medium and high-risk biosecurity best practice procedures download the biosecurity section of the Toolkit.

National campaigns 

Check out these national campaigns to find out more about biosecurity.

Find out more about biosecurity visiting our biosecurity webpage, or by checking out the biosecurity section of our Toolkit. 

Download our Invasive Species Toolkit 

The impacts of invasive species will continue to grow unless they are tackled through a sustainable and collaborative approach. That’s why we need your support! Please help us raise awareness of invasive species and their impacts in Wales to improve public understanding.

Campaigning and key messages 

There are a few national campaigns in Wales and GB that aim to raise awareness of invasive species and promote biosecurity. For example, Invasive Species Week, which is held annually in Spring.

Ymledwyr Ecosystem Invaders 

Ecosystem Invaders is a campaign run in Wales by WaREN. The campaign aimed to raise awareness of invasive species and their impacts in Wales to improve public understanding. Find out more about Ecosystem Invaders here, you can also access some of our campaign materials in the Toolkit!

Download our Invasive Species Toolkit