ACT’s new project, supported by the Nature Restoration Fund and Scottish Forestry, will survey Rhododendron ponticum to quantify the work required to remove it. This development-phase project will inform funding bids for a future project to carry out rhododendron control in priority areas around Mid Argyll, Knapdale in particular. 

 

The Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund, a fund managed by NatureScot, and Scottish Forestry are supporting this new project which will run over six months. ACT is asking landowners to get in touch through February and March. Interested landowners should contact Philippa, woodland coordinator with ACT, by 20 March. They can call 07377 981 934 or email p[email protected].

 

ACT run a series of successful projects around Argyll and the Isles, including the ACT Rainforest project, with the Alliance for Scotland’s Rainforest, which aims to restore and enhance Argyll’s rainforest sites. Argyll & Bute’s rainforest, known as temperate rainforest, consists of an increasingly rare and threatened habitat of ancient native woodland rich in a diversity of flora, fauna and fungi. Rhododendron ponticum, and its invasive hybrids, form dense thickets in woodlands and nearby open habitats and its removal benefits biodiversity and safeguards these important native woodlands. 

Taynish NNR - a fantastic example of Rhododendron-free Rainforest.

 Rhododendron ponticum close up

Philippa McKee, woodland coordinator for ACT says: “This is an exciting opportunity to plan a well-considered approach to rhododendron control in Mid Argyll, and Knapdale in particular. We are already working with landowners who are doing a considerable amount of work and have expertise in this area. For this project, we would like to engage with more landowners who are keen to control rhododendron on their land, and contribute to the safeguarding of our rainforests in Argyll.”

For further details, please contact  

Philippa McKee, ACT woodland coordinator

07377 981 934

p[email protected]

ACT Rainforest project https://www.act-now.org.uk/argyllsrainforest