Approaches to Long-Term Sustainability of Rhododendron Control
Thursday 30th May 2024, 10.30 – 12 noon. On-line.
CWA are delighted to invite you to our next virtual session on Rhododendron Control.
We will be joined by Gordon Gray Stephens, Rob Dewar and Grant Holroyd who all have significant experience in managing this invasive species.
We hope to cover the following information during this session:
Why Rhododendron management is important, and what this means to different areas across Scotland
Understanding the national policy approaches to controlling invasive rhododendron and accessing funding streams
Community engagement, and its importance, including the National Trust for Scotland’s approach
Control techniques including stem injection and other techniques
Biochar, a solution to a problem
An insight into how Knoydart Forest Trust has cleared and maintained the control of rhododendron, and how it has continued to monitor invasive rhododendron over the years
Sign up using the link below, or by using the QR code
About our presenters
Gordon Gray Stephens
Gordon is a member and Director of Native Woods and works with other Co-op members on a range of woodland contracts around Scotland, for example on a Woodland Trust Woodland Restoration Project and management planning for designated sites. In addition, Gordon works on his own account on projects which include providing woodland advice to a range of owners and managers, running workshops on small scale forestry, community acquisition planning, management planning for historic landscapes, and preparing and developing collaborative invasive rhododendron control projects. Clients include Forestry Commission, Woodland Trust, Scottish Natural Heritage, National Tree Collection of Scotland, Argyll & the Islands Coast & Countryside Trust, Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park Authority, as well as communities and individuals.
Rob Dewar
Rob started work with the National Trust for Scotland as a Ranger in Wester Ross after studying Environmental Science at the University of Stirling – working at Torridon, Inverewe and Corrieshalloch Gorge. He then became the Natural Heritage Adviser for the Trust for several years and is now the NTS INNS Project Officer. He also carries out contract work controlling INNS and delivers training workshops. He has recently been awarded a Churchill Fellowship to study INNS and biosecurity in New Zealand. Rob is also working on a Practice Guide for the FLS to explain the use and advantages of stem treatment.
Grant Holroyd
Grant has been the Forester for Knoydart Forest Trust since its conception in 1999, and has driven forward the development of the Trust, the management of the woodland and the local circular economy based on adding value to the community's woodland resource. Rhododoendron eradication on a landscape scale has played a vital role in the management of Knoydart's woodland from day one. Grant has also been involved in multiple woodland creation projects and setting up the Trust's sawmill and firewood processing enterprises. The Forest Trust through their trading subsidiary, Wood Knoydart, also does contract work for other landowners on the peninsula.
