A Ranger For A Day

In Glen Coe, NTS volunteers are a force against invasive species

- NICK DRAINEY

DESTROYING plants may seem a weird way to be a conservationist - but it works, and is strangely satisfying. I am in Glen Coe to find out what life is like for the volunteers who help organisations like the National Trust for Scotland (NTS) care for some of the most beautiful parts of Scotland.

The NTS looks after a diverse range of habitats in Glen Coe, from high mountains to damp glens and woodlands, as well as rivers and lochs.

Today we were off in the rangers' Land Rover to An Torr, a stretch of ancient woodland above the River Coe.

Much work is being done to keep native species strong. One reason is to ensure there are trees above the river banks, which help to keep the water cool and therefore in a good condition for spawning salmon.

Another reason to maintain the health of native species such as Scots Pine, birch and alder is that they promote native insects and birds, as well as woodland flowers.

We were in the Land Rover with a heap of tools-to get rid of invasive species like rhododendron, larch and spruce. After they are removed, the ground is able to take on the less dense native trees which allow the woodland floor to become a rich habitat for both flora and fauna.

So, protective gloves on and a mattock (similar to a pickaxe) in my hand, I spied a "rhodie". Pulling, pushing and grunting all failed.

A fellow volunteer came to give me a hand. We both used the mattock, and a pitchfork, to loosen the roots.

Some lopper work followed and the plant came free with a cracking and scraping sound - the satisfying bit.

Ranger Lindsay Warner explains that helping native species thrive is vital work. She says, "We have lost so much biodiversity, it is great to get it back - we have many unique habitats so whatever we can manage to restore is really important."