Securing our natural heritage: investment and innovation

The case study at Brodick has paved the way for investing in people, by efficiently utilising seasonal rangers and developing their skills. In the Highlands and Islands, we have followed this formula by offering contract extensions to two INNS rangers. The contribution to community engagement has also been invaluable, with newsletters and an increase in meetings helping people feel closer to the project. Contractors still play a key role – particularly specialist rope access workers that reach INNS in our dramatic gorges – but upskilling National Trust for Scotland staff to work with them is a winning combination. The local knowledge and continuity of our own dedicated staff tackling INNS has reaped benefits and is part of our overall strategic approach to successfully restoring native habitats.

Through Project Wipeout, which was funded by players of People’s Postcode Lottery (PPL) and NatureScot, the Trust has created an infographic incorporating case study work to show the overall strategic approach we have applied to INNS control. We have shared our knowledge at the GB INNS Secretariat and NatureScot conferences. The Alliance for Scotland’s Rainforest (ASR) is a big supporter of the Trust’s contribution to protecting one of our most distinct and important woodland habitats. We have contributed resources around the use of stem treatment that are available on the ASR website.

I was recently asked to explain why INNS control was important and what would the situation be had we not invested in this work. It is a good question! To answer that, I offered the example of Corrieshalloch Gorge.

Without our investment in INNS control work, the edges of the gorge would be choked with Rhododendron ponticum, blocking some of the spectacular views into the depths of the gorge. Heavy shading exotic trees such as western hemlock and rhododendron would block sunlight that is crucial to life and biodiversity. Invasive Gaultheria would become rampant as a suppressing understorey plant. Many rare lichens would be lost; ancient woodland plants would eventually disappear such as primrose, bluebells, wood anemone, violets – and with this, the associated insects that depend on them. The next generation of broadleaf saplings – hazel, oak, birch and rowan – would dwindle, jeopardising the future of this SSSI-designated woodland as it would fail its ecological favourability assessment. In time, the light and leafy Highland woodland would become a dark green jungle – a ‘new normal’ that we are not prepared to see happen.

If you visit Corrieshalloch Gorge today, you will struggle to find a non-native invasive species, with only a few stragglers remaining. When there is no sign of INNS, our work to protect Scotland’s habitats and our properties has been a success. The irony is that the massive effort taken to achieve this will have ‘been and gone’ without trace. I’m fine with that, knowing that the exponential cost of control work has been halted; the natural heritage has been protected; and our native habitats can thrive with their future secured.