Overcoming barriers for effective control

Rhododendron Control Stories: Snowdonia National Park and Rhododendron Partnership

Geraint Williams

Celtic Rainforests Project Officer

Stem injection and cut & burn techniques

Windrowing cut plants

Stem treatment (Scraping)

Spraying

1. Identifying and sourcing funding

Need for direction • Two failed LIFE funding attempts

• Historic Scattergun approach to Rp management

• Rhododendron Partnership Formed

• To identify funding

• To work collaboratively

• Win hearts and minds

• Focus on key areas

Partnership MoU created

Members committing to 5 years

Source funding

Influencing policymakers (Glastir)

Snowdonia National Park Authority (SNPA) - Delivery

• Natural Resources Wales (NRW) • National Trust • Gwynedd Council • Community Council • RSPB • Woodland Trust

Funding continued…approximate values

• Rhododendron Partnership (Funding Streams since 2014)

• £480,000 Cash and in kind contribution from members

• NRW Grants - £50,000

• Other Small Scale Grants - £50,000

• Agri-environment Scheme - £500,000

• LIFE2017 - £7,500,000

Nant Gwynant Catchment

2. Beddgelert – winning hearts and minds

- Engagement - Education - Publicity - Bribery

LIFE Celtic Rainforests

• 7,000ha Rp targeted

• 180ha PAWS restoration

• 100ha Woodland Management

• Woodland Grazing

• Other INNS controlled

• Cost: € 9,512,759

• European Commission: 60% of total eligible budget

• Welsh Government: £2m

• Timescale: 01/08/2018 – 31/07/2025

• Beneficiaries: SNPA (Lead), RSPB Cymru, and Woodland Trust

LIFE Celtic Rainforests Problems to date:

20 year licence agreements

Securing statutory consents

Shortage of quality contractors

Engaging with holiday homes/gardens

Time