NRN PARTNER: Rhu Woods

RHU WOODS

Location:
Tarbert, Argyll
Area Committed:
88 acres
A man with gray hair and beard affectionately rests his face against the back of a fluffy, brown cow. The scene takes place inside a fenced area with
An otter peeks its head above the water's surface, surrounded by floating green and yellowish-brown seaweed.
A heron flies gracefully with its large wings fully extended. Its body is a mix of gray, white, and black, and it has a long, orange beak. The backgro
A rocky coastal landscape features vibrant yellow lichen on rocks. Clusters of pink thrift flowers with green foliage grow amidst the rocks, adding a
Young oak sapling with lobed leaves, growing amidst lush green grass, moss and small yellow flowers.
A white-tailed sea eagle soars over a vast body of water with blurred mountains in the background.

Nestled on the southern shore of West Loch, Rhu Wood is a mosaic habitat of meadows, woodlands and rocky shoreline. Patches of Atlantic rainforest cling on among moss-covered rock formations and back onto open fields and wildflower meadows. Dexter cattle and Highland ponies graze and browse across the site, their presence bringing soil disturbance and benefitting invertebrates. The shell-covered shoreline gives insight into the oyster and mussel beds below the water of the sea loch, acting as a reminder that marine ecosystem health and land ecosystem health are inextricably linked. To date, the owners’ restoration efforts have focused on tackling the residual problems of invasive Rhododendron ponticum and American skunk cabbage.

Key rewilding commitments:

  • MORE NATIVE WOODLAND: Encourage natural woodland regeneration and undertake enrichment planting of native tree species.

  • LET NATURE LEAD: Continue to remove non-native invasive species (Rhododendron ponticum and American skunk cabbage).

  • REINSTATE WILD GRAZING: Continue low impact wild grazing with native breed cattle and ponies.

  • CONNECT WITH COMMUNITIES: Increase community involvement in the restoration of the woods and shoreline with volunteer activities and school engagement.