New innovative strategies will be the focus of the second annual Invasive Weed Control Conference
The Property Care Association (PCA) is to host the second annual Invasive Weed Conference on the 22 November.
The event will take place at the Institution of Engineering Technology (IET) in London, and will address the potentially detrimental impacts of non-native invasive plants while showcasing strategies to tackle this issue.
The ‘Risk, Roots and Research’ event will include speakers with expertise in law, academia, ecology and technology. It is a follow up to the highly successful inaugural conference held last year by the PCA’s specialist Invasive Weed Control Group.
The conference will comprise of a three session format, offering cutting-edge insight into the main issues relating to the management of key invasive weeds.
The first session, ‘Risk’, will be led by barrister Leo Charalambides and will discuss the legal ramifications of tackling invasive weeds.
Head of Professional Risk at Legal and General James Ginley will discuss Japanese knotweed, a plant that is causing significant problems, and its risk to property.
In the ‘Roots’ session Dr Mark Fennell, Principal Ecologist AECOM, will discuss mapping and surveying invasive non-native species, as well as an overview on the management of invasive weed remediation from Richard Newis, of Ashfield Japanese Knotweed.
There will also be a session on the growth of aquatic invasive plants. This will be presented by Dr Johan van Valkenburg of the National Plant Protection Organisation.
The ‘Research’ section will cover biocontrol and physiochemical control optimisation. Involved in this will be Dr Richard Shaw of CABI UK, Dr Daniel Jones of Swansea University, and Dr John Bailey, formerly of the University of Leicester.
Finally, the event will close with a panel debate comprising of Network Rail’s Dr Neil Strong, Trevor Renals of the Environment Agency, Barbara Whitcombe of Leicester City Council, Rodger Burnett of Charles Lyndon, and Paul Cutbill of Countrywide Surveying Services.
Professor Max Wade, chairman of the PCA’s Invasive Weed Control Group, said: “A lack of information is one of the biggest obstacles to achieving the effective management of Japanese knotweed and other non-native invasive plants in the UK.
“Our intention is to offer a level-headed and evidence based approach to tackling the issue and create a platform for delegates to access a wide-range of expertise from high calibre, informed sources.
“This conference offers a significant opportunity to access the latest thinking, research and knowledge at a single event.”
To see the full programme and book a place please visit: http://www.property-care.org/conferencespca-invasive-weed-conference/
