Invasive Non-Native Species Management

Invasive non-native species (INNS) are animals or plants that have been introduced (deliberately or accidently) by human activity to an area in which they do not naturally occur. These not only cause issues to our rivers, but they are harmful to the economy, the environment or to our health.

For more information or to discuss any work please contact our Invasive Species Project Manager: Chloe Lawrence

Invasive Non-Native Species in the UK

Invasive non-native species pose a significant threat to our environment, economy, and biodiversity. Each year, around 10-12 new non-native species establish themselves in the UK, some of which become invasive, outcompeting native wildlife and altering ecosystems.

Great Britain has a national strategy to manage INNS, aiming to prevent their introduction, control their spread, and mitigate their impact.
Since 2012, Tees Rivers Trust have been actively working to tackle INNS across the catchment, helping to restore and protect our rivers and habitats.

The cost of INNS to the UK economy is estimated at a staggering £1.8 billion per year, affecting agriculture, infrastructure, and conservation efforts. By taking action—whether through volunteer work, biosecurity measures, or habitat restoration—we can reduce their impact and safeguard our natural spaces for the future.

Find out more about our current INNS projects below!

Spring 2019 collage. JM river, signal crayfish, GH.jpg

OUR PROJECTS

Tees Invasive Species Project (TISP)

Taking a holistic approach to manage widely dispersed invasive plants. This project focuses on catchment scale management, biosecurity, community engagement, education and innovative techniques. Click the image to find out more about this project.

NE Regional INNS Partnership

Working with partners across the North East region to tackle INNS. Click the image to find out more about this project.

TOPHOG (2019-2024)

#TOPHOG (Tees Operation Giant Hogweed) project to tackle Giant hogweed. Click the image to find out more about this project.

Biological Control of INNS (2021-2022)

Trialling our biological control for invasive species management on Japanese knotweed and Himalayan balsam. Click the image to find out more about this project.

Marine INNS

Learn more about the efforts to prevent and manage Marine Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) and their impact on coastal ecosystems Click the image to find out more about this project.

CASE STUDIES

Giant Hogweed Case Study: Wildflower Rotovation

Our trial of using ploughing and rotovating to manage Giant hogweed at Round Hill. Click the image to find out more about this project.

Floating Pennywort Case Study: Hand Pulling

A short case study of the presence of floating pennywort in the Tees catchment and our plans for the future. Click the image to find out more about this project.

Giant Hogweed Case Study: Geotextile membrane Trial

A case study on our use of geotextile membrane to manage giant hogweed. Click the image to find out more about this project.

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