Tees Invasive Species Project

The Tees Catchment is home to a rich variety of wildlife and habitats, but invasive non-native species (INNS) pose a significant threat to its biodiversity and heritage.

The Tees Invasive Species Project, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, is dedicated to tackling this issue. Through mapping, monitoring, and targeted management, we aim to control the spread of invasive species like Giant hogweed and Himalayan balsam while restoring and protecting native ecosystems.

By working with volunteers, landowners, and communities, we’re taking a catchment-wide approach to safeguarding the Tees for future generations.

We are currently in our development phase of this project:

February 2025 - February 2026

THE PROJECT

Conservation Efforts: Protecting Our Natural Heritage

Targeted management of invasive non-native species (INNS):
- Giant Hogweed control to reduce health and environmental risks
- Himalayan Balsam removal to prevent habitat displacement
- Japanese Knotweed treatment to protect infrastructure and ecosystems
- Floating Pennywort management to safeguard waterways and biodiversity
Enhancing biodiversity through native species planting and habitat restoration
Exploring innovative approaches, including biocontrol trials and drone technology for mapping

Inclusion, Access & Participation

Year-round volunteer opportunities, empowering communities to take action
Developing and expanding volunteer groups to increase participation and impact
Improving access to the river, making spaces safer and more enjoyable for people and wildlife
Working in collaboration with groups such as Angling Clubs throughout the catchment, to create safer access for fishing.

Community Engagement & Education

Working with schools to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards
Engaging with landowners, local groups, and partners to create long-term management strategies
Raising awareness of INNS impacts and promoting best-practice biosecurity measures

Collaboration & Innovation

Strengthening regional partnerships to create a joined-up approach to INNS management (you can find out more about our regional INNS Partnersh
Sharing knowledge and expertise to improve best practices across the catchment
Supporting biosecurity initiatives to prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species

OUR
MISSION

Our mission is to restore the natural heritage and biodiversity of rivers within the Tees catchment, and to create a safer environment for local communities, visitors and river users to enjoy.

Our goals are to:

Reverse the loss of biodiversity
Implementing biosecurity and prevention
Restoring access and establishing a safer amenity
Providing education and raising awareness
Collaborating at a regional level

REVERSING THE LOSS OF BIODIVERSITY

The Problem

INNS, specifically plant species out-compete and rapidly replaces most native plants by forming dense stands and creating monocultures most native plants cannot compete with.

Once the plants die back in winter, large areas of riverbanks are left exposed, becoming susceptible to erosion from increased water flow during winter months. This destabilises banks, resulting in loss of land and increased silt loading in the river, causing further adverse effects.

Although listed under schedule 9 of Wildlife and the Countryside Act - making it illegal to plant or grow in the wild in the UK - there is no statutory responsibility for private landowners, local authorities or other government agencies to control or remove it from their land.

Our Mission

Once sites have been reduced of INNS, we will actively re-introduce flora to areas where large monocultures have made natural regeneration unlikely. Working with local natural history societies, wildlife groups and volunteers, these sites will be populated with plants, bulbs and seeds which are sympathetic to riverbanks, meadows and woodland. Once established, the sites will be maintained, monitored and managed, eventually becoming sources of seed for other sites along the rivers.

FUNDING

Tees Invasive Species Project (TISP) is fortunate to receive support and funding from the following organisations:

National Lottery players and the National Lottery Heritage Fund
Northumbrian Water
Environment Agency
Hurworth Parish Council

Thank you for your support!