Knapdale Restoration Project
Knapdale. Credit Philippa McKee
This project aims to work with landowners and communities in the Knapdale area to develop and deliver landscape-scale restoration, starting with the control of Rhododendron ponticum (rhododendron). We will also work in partnership with landowners and communities to promote appropriate deer control to further the restoration of native woodland.
Funding has been secured to undertake drone surveys for rhododendron in part of North Knapdale, completed early 2023. These areas are being developed into a delivery phase of rhododendron clearance through a variety of funding streams.
Knapdale is well positioned to be a definable landscape-scale project with clear geographical boundaries. It has sea lochs on three sides, the Sound of Jura to the west, Loch Fyne to the east and Loch Tarbert to the south. The north side is bound by the Crinan Canal and Mhoine Mhor Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). It is a large, consolidated landscape area of approximately 40,000ha sitting within the ‘rainforest zone’ containing many woodland SSSIs, Special Area of Conservation sites, and other areas of ancient native and semi-natural woodland amongst a large area of production forest land.
This globally important habitat is facing significant threats from conflicting land use objectives, over-browsing by herbivores, and invasive species such as Rhododendron ponticum. There is a high proportion of publicly owned and managed land.
ACT have had positive engagement with landowners and communities across the area, who are interested in rainforest restoration. This consultation has not been exhaustive, so we are clear that we are not able to represent all landholders across the area. So, if you are a landowner in the area who would like to discuss this with us, we would very much welcome your thoughts and insights.
Project aims
To work collaboratively with landowners and local communities to promote rainforest restoration, starting with population-scale rhododendron control.
To develop a rainforest discussion forum with the aim of effectively implementing a rainforest strategy.
To work with volunteers and to promote volunteering opportunities on rainforest initiatives.
To investigate funding models and explore where private finance can be used to invest in rainforest natural capital.
To develop a rainforest squad: a trained workforce to undertake the necessary activities to restore rainforest by removing threats and promoting recovery.
To establish a woodland hub.
To reduce herbivore impact to a level at which natural regeneration can occur.
To identify opportunities to reconnect and integrate rainforest throughout the landscape of Knapdale.
To identify opportunities to integrate rainforest into the agricultural landscape via farm woodland development and agroforestry practices.
To pilot our FIRNS (Facility for Investment Ready Nature in Scotland) funded project findings.
Project partners
ACT – we work with the people of Argyll to make the most of our environment. ACT is a community-led SCIO established in 2014. We have a Board of up to 12 Trustees, 20 Advisors and over 400 members. Our charitable objectives are:
To care for and enhance our unique natural environment
To give people opportunities to experience, learn in, and be inspired by nature
To encourage investment in Argyll’s natural capital to support our economy
To increase opportunities for employment, skills development and volunteering in our environment.
We have an ACT Rainforest steering group comprising ACT board, advisors and staff and work with partners on the Alliance for Scotland’s Rainforest, including NatureScot and Forestry and Land Scotland.
We are in the process of establishing a Rainforest Forum and aim to invite landowners and other interested parties such as agencies and contractors to discuss how we can further landscape scale restoration in Knapdale. We have drafted a strategy, which needs input from landowners to be progressed, and we have created a draft Terms of Reference for the forum, to be discussed and agreed by the membership when this gets started.
For surveys, we have agreements in principle with landowners with whom we are working and where work is progressed to delivery of any intervention, we have legal agreements with landowners on whose land we are working.
We are also working with community groups and volunteers on initiatives such as seed collection. This is an area we hope to develop and expand.
Funding requirement
The project is being delivered through a series of public and private funding opportunities. The estimated cost to deliver the project aims are expected to exceed £5 million.
For more information contact: Philippa McKee, Woodland Coordinator, ACT on
philippa@act-now.org.uk
