Getting to root of dangerous plant problem
Councillorbacksbidtoremove invasivespecies
Environmentallyconscious individuals are being asked to volunteer for a scheme aimed at protecting Renfrewshire’s rich riverbank habitats.
Renfrewshire Council’s new environmental community taskforce will see volunteers work alongside the biodiversity officers as part of the Restoring Renfrewshire’s Rivers (RRR) project.
It plans to help tackle the damaging effects of nonnative plants on riverbanks.
The council secured £350,000 funding from the Scottish Government’s nature restoration fund to deliver the RRR programme.
The project is focused on removing five species – Japanese Knotweed, Giant Hogweed, Rhododendron, Himalayan Balsam and American Skunk Cabbage – from riverbank locations across the area.
The planned sites are Calder Burn, Dargavel Burn, Locher Water, Old Patrick Water and Sergeant Law Burn.
The five identified species grow alongside watercourses, producing an abundance of seeds which spread by wind and water.
Large and fast-growing, they can easily dominate the riverbanks, replacing species-rich, native plants. These non-native plants die back each winter, exposing the riverbank soil, and increasing the flood risk as well as releasing carbon into the atmosphere.
Restoring these riverbanks will help ensure Renfrewshire has wellconnected, nature-rich habitats for wildlife and pollinating insects in the future.
Those interested in volunteering will participate in a specialist certified training course to ensure they have the knowledge, skills and qualifications to help protect, identify and properly remove the invasive non-native plants.
Volunteers will then be provided with the appropriate PPE and tools before visiting the selected sites with council officers to carry out the necessary work.
Convener of the council’s infrastructure, land and environment board, Councillor Michelle
Campbell, said: “We want to empower local people to play an active role in improving their local environment.
“And the Restoring Renfrewshire’s Rivers project offers the perfect chance for local people to get involved, while offering opportunities for green upskilling.
“This project aligns with our wider ambitions for net zero by helping to reduce carbon emissions, reduce soil erosion and make our riverbanks more resilient against flooding. It will also help to protect, restore and enhance existing plant and wildlife habitats.
“I know how passionate local people are about protecting their local environment. I’d encourage anyone who is interested to get in touch and get involved and collectively we can make a real positive difference to these areas.”
Volunteers are being sought to cover the whole growing season from April to October. There will be multiple opportunities for interested individuals to undergo training throughout this period.
Volunteer participation in the project is flexible and is designed to work around people’s wider commitments so people will be able to join in when they are able.
Those interested in participating should contact the team via the dedicated mailbox at Restoring Renfrewshires Rivers@renfrewshire.gov.uk and by joining the Team Up to Clean Up Facebook group.
We want to empower people to play an active role