Innovation & Promotion - INNS control Rob Dewar NTS Nature Conservation Advisor
Working with the community Despite successful control work on the NTS wider estate seed sources remain within community gardens. We liaise with the community through open days and a news bulletin to invite locals to work with us in controlling the invasive rhododendron.
Garden plant swap scheme
Awareness raising
Using a range of media to raise awareness
A conservation message through the product Mature rhododendron stumps have been utilised to produce ‘eco - charcoal’. An innovative way of raising awareness through the product.
Summary points • Using the full range of control techniques provides a ‘tool kit methodology’ for best efficiency in a given situation. • Lever and mulch techniques can be more popular with community. • Stem treatment is targeted, eliminates collateral damage, but is under utilised. • Opportunities for instating INNS control within existing management systems e.g. DMP • Partnership working is key to strategic control programmes. • Communication is important for gaining local support for INNS control. • Positive language is important - “ecosystem restoration” is better than “alien species "or “rhody bashing.” • Having the community working with you helps enormously and ‘community empowerment’ could be a longer term objective.
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