Erris communities encouraged to join project to control invasive rhododendron plant

A Community-led pilot project on peatland restoration with an emphasis on rhododendron control has the potential to 'deliver environmental, social and economic benefits' to participants and the local communities.

The launch of the community-led Peatland Restoration and Rhododendron Control Project took place in the Ballycroy Visitor Centre on Friday evening with local landowners and farmers encouraged to sign-up and benefit financially from the project.

The project, which is developed by Mayo North East LEADER Partnership CLG in conjunction with Wild Atlantic Nature LIFE IP and the National Parks and Wildlife Services, aims to develop and demonstrate a rhododendron control programme for areas within the Owenduff/Nephin, Shramore and Carrowmore Lake Complex Special Areas of Conservation in County Mayo.

Minister of State for Heritage, Malcolm Noonan TD was due to launch the project but was unable to travel to Ballycroy because of a family illness.

Cameron Clotworthy, Assistant Principal with the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) spoke on behalf of the Minister and said that close co-operation between local landowners and farmers and state agencies was vital to 'preserve the unique natural heritage of the Erris region'.

“The control of non native invasive species such as rhododendron is particularly problematic within the two SACs and will be the primary focus of this pilot. As with all Life projects, collaboration with the community and relevant stakeholders will be an integral part of its success. It will build on the experiences of similar projects in Connemara and south Mayo where communities are delivering locally led nature conservation.

“The project will build capacity in the local community to address environmental challenges and in the process will provide much needed employment opportunities in the Errris region. It is expected the pilot will deliver environmental, social and economic benefits to the participants and the local communities and will help communities better understand the threat posed by rhododendron and implement effective control measures to halt its encroachment.

“The Minister has seen that when a project is conceived and driven by the local community its chance of success increases dramatically,” he said.

Community Involvement

The launch heard that a similar community led project in the Delphi area of Connemara to deal with rhododendron has now expanded into other areas of Connemara with up to ten local people employed full-time to deal with eradicating the invasive plant.

James Golden, the Rural Development Manager with Mayo North East Leader explained that Ballycastle-based Kelly Environmental Services are currently surveying 40 square kilometres to map rhododendron density throughout Ballycroy, Bangor Erris and Shramore. He said that this project has the potential for expansion and he wants the local community to benefit from it.

“Whatever is learned will hopefully be rolled out further and if landowners or individuals want to get involved there is so much work out there from this. It is an opportunity for people to get sustainable employment and for them to stay in the locality.

“This is just the beginning and we really believe there are huge opportunities for this to expand and for the people in rural communities to benefit from these projects as of course the environment,” he said.

Local councillor Seán Carey, who is Cathaoirleach of the Westport/Belmullet Municipal District, said this is an very exciting and important project to not only help eradicate the rhododendron but also to provide local employment.

“The rhododendrons are taking over so it is great that there is a programme to try and address that issue. Giving employment locally is very important because rural Ireland needs employment and this will be a great source of employment going forward. We can see this expanding and increasing into other areas like the wild gunnera which is a major problem.

“This is a night for the people of the area and to celebrate it and work going forward. Rural Ireland is crying out for employment and for people to live in it. We are dealing with different issues every day and we have to work with what's there and keep communities alive,” he said.

Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, Cllr Michael Loftus thanked Minister Noonan for his commitment to projects in Mayo saying that this would have been his sixth visit to the county as minister. He also thanked the staff of the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the other agencies involved and wished them success with the project into the future.