Funding will root out Glen Creran invasive species
A LANDMARK project to clear invasive rhododendron is taking place in Glen Creran thanks to a Heritage Lottery Fund award.
The first of its kind in Scotland, the funding has been given to social enterprise Argyll and the Isles Coast and Countryside Trust (ACT) to work with the Glen Creran community.
Scottish Natural Heritage and Forestry Commission Scotland have also contributed funds to the three-year, ‘Getting to the roots of Rhododendron ponticum’ £96,000 project.
Training and provision of equipment to the community will enable it to take ownership of the issue in Glen Creran.
The project will also introduce the wider community and local school children to the delights of Glen Creran Special Areas of Conservation through a programme of education and guided walks.
HLF is contributing £50,000, SNH £36,000 and FCS £10,000.
Ross Lilley, vice chairman of ACT, recently met with members of the Glen Creran community to formally launch the project.
He said: ‘HLF, SNH and FCS’s support for this project enables us to demonstrate co-ordinated rhododendron ponticum control across an entire catchment.
‘We are grateful to the Glen Creran community for its commitment to the project.
‘Our Atlantic oakwoods are one of the few habitats in Scotland that are of outstanding global importance. Glen Creran Woods Site of Special Interest, Special Area of Conservation and National Nature Reserve has an exceptionally rich oceanic lichen assemblage, including four globally vulnerable species and 19 globally near-threatened species.
‘It is the first of the top five priority sites in Scotland identified for complete removal of rhododendron. There are other catchments in Argyll with similar attributes and hopefully lessons learned from this project will help to inform rhododendron ponticum control in these other areas.’
Lucy Casot, head of HLF Scotland, said: ‘Our natural heritage is a most precious resource and, thanks to National Lottery players, HLF grants have helped to protect an amazing range of landscapes, habitats, and species of plants and animals.
‘HLF is delighted to support getting to the roots of Glen Creran’s invasive rhododendron problem and it will stimulate people’s interest in the natural world and so help them conserve it for future generations.’