Our Rainforest Restoration Fund-funded rhododendron control has been progressing well with longer days, if not better weather. The manual methods have been effective to date in the designated woodland areas,but plans for foliar spraying and mechanical removal now need to be progressed to complete all areas within the funding deadlines. At the same time, the INNS drone survey is nearing completion, funded through the Nature Restoration Fund. Just a week or two of dry weather needed, for which we are hopeful.
A polycrub is now acquired for use as a future tree & plant growing facility in Strontian. We are now seeking contractors to erect the polytunnel, and working out a plan for the phased delivery of the adjoining community growing space. The polycrub is being funded through our Rainforest Restoration Fund award.
The Nature Restoration Fund Development work continues with final reports being prepared on the basis of survey data obtained over the past months. These include a Nature Recovery Plan and an overarching Woodland Management Plan, that can be used for Forestry Grant Scheme funding applications by individual ownerships within the area.
Budget reconciliations, invoice checking and cashflow management to ensure grant claims are in order have been very demanding of SCC’s administrative time and resource. We are now approaching the end of both funding streams, as we aim to complete all projects by the 31st of March. End of project reports will be drafted for both funding streams, and will be available for anyone to read via the SCC webpage.
While the Sunart Rainforest Project management are looking forward to a more relaxed pace of life after such a condensed and intensive level of activity, time will be applied to sourcing more sustainable and long-term funding sources to build on all that has been achieved to date. We hope this project can continue to deliver for the Loch Sunart landscape and community.