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.
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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.
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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!
OUR PROJECTS
get involved
vOLUNTEER
Join us in tackling invasive species and protecting our waterways! We run volunteer activities throughout the catchment all year round, from Himalayan balsam pulling to habitat restoration. Whether you're a seasoned volunteer or completely new, everyone is welcome—come and make a difference!"
BIOSECURITY
What is Biosecurity?
Biosecurity is the practice of preventing the spread of invasive species and diseases by taking simple precautions when moving between natural areas. This includes cleaning boots, equipment, and boats to remove any hidden seeds or organisms.
By following biosecurity measures, we can help protect our rivers and wildlife from harmful invaders.
Be Plant Wise
Plants are vital for our health and environment. They improve air quality, boost our health and wellbeing, help to offer climate change resilience, and provide a home for wildlife. Most of us have plants in our gardens and ponds that are not native – they originally came from other parts of the world and have been introduced to Britain by people.
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While these non-native plants can help us to create beautiful ornamental displays to enjoy, if they escape outside the garden some become invasive, harming our wildlife and environment, economy, and even our health and the way we live.
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Once established, invasive plants are costly to control and the damage they cause can be irreversible. Pond and aquarium plants can be particularly devastating due to the speed at which they can spread in a natural water body and the impact they can have on important aquatic habitats (GB NNSS). You can support our rivers and reduce the spread of invasive species by supporting 'Be Plant Wise'.
More information about this campaign is linked below.
Check, Clean & Dry
Plants and animals from all over the world have been introduced to British waters by people, usually accidentally. These are known as non-native species. Most are harmless but some become invasive. Over fifty different invasive freshwater species have already been found in our lakes, rivers and other waters, and the number of new arrivals is increasing rapidly.
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Invasive non-native species cause serious environmental problems that can be irreversible, and interfere with the activities you enjoy by clogging propellers, damaging boats, blocking up waterways making it hard to fish or use them for paddling, and increasing the risk of flooding (GB NNSS). You can support our rivers and reduce the spread of invasive species by following the Check, Clean, Dry method.
More information about this campaign is linked below.
