Our project will focus on protecting wildlife in the East Midlands from floating pennywort, a highly invasive and fast-growing plant. Floating pennywort blocks sunlight and smothers native plants, depriving the water of oxygen and impacting habitats for fish, invertebrates and other wildlife.
Categories
Beneficiaries
Non-native invasive species are considered the second greatest threat to native wildlife. Floating pennywort is a highly invasive plant, forming dense mats on canals and rivers, blocking sunlight and smothering native plants. This deprives water of oxygen, disrupts food webs and harms habitats for fish and other wildlife. Its rapid growth and ability to regenerate from tiny fragments make it hard and costly to remove, and its domination of waterways degrades ecosystems and reduces biodiversity.
In 2026, floating pennywort will be tackled through a coordinated programme combining contractor removal and community action. Contractors will remove pennywort across the East Midlands during summer and autumn at an estimated cost of £65k. Volunteers, water sports users, partner groups, marinas, the Environment Agency and other stakeholders will support early-season and follow-up removal to prevent regrowth and maximise long-term impact.
