A new project by the name of Dúlra has been launched for landowners in west Mayo and Connemara, which will see them tackle the invasive species rhododendron.

The project is being run by Forum Connemara CLG, a local development company.

Dúlra, which translates as nature in Irish, is a collaborative community-based project funded by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and the Wild Atlantic Nature LIFE project.

The project aims to build community capacity for controlling the spread of invasive rhododendron in ecologically sensitive peatland areas of west Mayo and Connemara.

Invasive

The spread of rhododendron poses a significant threat to the delicate balance of the local ecosystem in rural areas of west Mayo and Connemara, particularly in peatland and native woodland habitats, the project organisers said.

While its vibrant pink flowers may appear picturesque, this non-native plant can rapidly reseed and out-compete native vegetation, leading to a decline in biodiversity and the loss of habitat for native wildlife, they added.

The project

The Dúlra project came about as a collaboration between Forum Connemara’s EIP programme and the Leenane Development Association.

The association, led by local farmer Martin Gavin, oversaw the delivery of the Bundorragha catchment rhododendron control project in the Bundorragha (Delphi) catchment in the spring and summer of 2022.

Under that project, a locally based team was assembled and trained in a method of targeted rhododendron control, which involves direct injection of dilute herbicide solution into the stem of the target plants.

This stem injection method is considered to be the most environmentally safe means of controlled herbicide usage and is approved by the NPWS.

Chainsaw training

In autumn of 2022, the rhododendron control team joined Forum Connemara’s North Connemara Locally Led Agri Environmental Scheme EIP (NCLLAES).

Ten professionals who were trained in the use of chainsaws, herbicide, first aid and tree planting undertook rhododendron control on scheme farmers’ lands in the Connemara uplands.

The team's extensive skills and experience have been instrumental in mitigating the threat posed by this invasive species.

Under the Dúlra project, the rhododendron control team, with technical support from project ecologist Conor Ryan, will shift their efforts towards other areas later this summer which have experienced a rapid encroachment of rhododendron, threatening the local flora and fauna.

By expanding their operations, the Dúlra team hopes to effectively manage and control the spread of this invasive species, thereby protecting the natural beauty and biodiversity of the region.

Public engagement and awareness campaigns are key components of the project.

“The project emphasises a collaborative approach, working closely with local landowners, farmers, volunteers and State agencies to maximise the impact of our efforts,” team project facilitator Roisin Gannon said.

“The success of the Dúlra project relies on the collective effort of all of these stakeholders who are committed to preserving the natural heritage of this unique landscape.”