The Balsam Cup - Rules and Competition Outline
🏆 Goal:
To incentivize effective removal of Himalayan balsam across infested areas along the River Dee, prioritizing both the extent and difficulty of clearing.
🧮 Scoring System:
Participants earn points based on:
Area Cleared (A) – measured in square meters (m²)
Infestation Density Rating (D) – rated on a scale from 1 (low) to 5 (very high)
Scoring:
Total Points = A × D × 0.1
A = Area of Himalayan balsam cleared (m²)
D = Density rating of the infestation:
1: Scattered plants
2: Occasional clumps
3: Frequent clumps
4: Continuous stands with occasional gaps
5: Solid, dense monoculture
The team with the most points on the last day of August wins!
📷 Proof Requirements:
To validate entries, teams must provide:
Before and after photos
GPS location or marked maps
Date of work
Density justification (brief comment or photo)
Optional: drone imagery or aerial maps for large areas.
📝 Submission Format:
Participants submit a final report once the area is cleared, including:
Area in m²
Density rating
Photos
That’s it!
