Location

• Wed 4 Jun 2025, 9:50am-3:00pm

3 positions available

Invasive species, such as himalayan balsam, can out compete our own native plants, leading to a mono-culture which is poor habitat for local wildlife. Once flowered, balsam can shoot 1000 seeds up to 7 metres, making an even larger area worse for native wildlife. 

The best way to deal with them is a satisfying pull and a snap before they are able to seed and spread.

About Centenary Riverside Nature Reserve

Centenary Riverside is a landscaped flood storage area on the site of a former steel works, alongside the river Don and just outside of Rotherham town centre. This was once a very large industrial site with rail links and booming production for many years, but had become a derelict wasteland when the floods of 2007 hit. This area was severely affected, so in a joint project between Rotherham Council, the Environment Agency and Sheffield and Rotherham Wildlife Trust it was transformed into flood storage with a mosaic of wet and dry habitats. It is now a particularly important site for birds such as warblers, chiffchaff, blackcap and kingfishers. While the meadows attract a range of insects and butterflies.

No specific skills required. Some level of physical fitness would be good however we will have regular biscuit breaks and can adapt the activity to all levels.

The most important thing is that you're willing to give it a go while being outside to enjoy the fresh air. 🌞

Invasive species have few predators in the UK and therefore are often able to out compete native plants. Without your support these plants can over run areas cutting out light for other plants and wild flowers.

This activity is particularly satisfying to be able to see the difference you've made before and after the day!

Please bring: Lunch, water, appropriate clothes and footwear for the weather and activities.

For this activity we recommend a long sleeved top and trousers.

There is a car park at the site:

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The X3 bus passes the entrance off Sheffield Road or it's a 1 mile walk from Rotherham Central Train / Tram station.

Find out more about Centenary Riverside: www.wildsheffield.com/reserves/centenary-riverside/

On site:
No facilities on site.

Off site:
There is a large Tesco 5 minute drive away.
Riverside pub is a 5 minute walk away.
A Starbucks is due to open next to the car park at some point in 2025.

Please contact us before the day to let us know if you have any accessibility requirements.

A network of surfaced paths allows wheelchair and pushchair access across the top flood defence bank. The access furniture on the entrance doesn’t currently enable some of the larger powered wheelchairs to access the reserve. Further informal paths maximise access around the reserve, and there is also a boardwalk crossing the lagoon.

We will provide: Tools, PPE, safety talk, tea, biscuits 🍪

Further information about Wild Work Days and Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust can be found on our website.
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If you're looking for more information a different date for your team, that is not currently available here, then please get in touch via [email protected]