by Tom Lusink
Raasay is one of six islands being supported by the Scottish Government to reach net zero by 2040. We’re now implementing our community action plan, which is based on detailed community consultations.
The community hall energy efficiency measures have taken a big step forward with the replacement of the old leaking doors with commercial spec aluminium doors. These are much more robust, should stand up to our elements a bit better and are much more energy efficient! The G99 application for the solar PV installation is now in the works and it’s a waiting game to hear back from SSE. Working with the community, the CNI project has been exploring what land based projects could look like. One of the top actions in our action plan was “Improve Biodiversity and Sequestering Environments”. Following further community engagement, and with some input from experts in the field, the threat posed by ‘invasive species” has been identified as a critical issue. Like many areas on the west coast, Rhododendron ponticum has been introduced, and is thriving! (see blue dots on map on left). Sitka Spruce is also widespread. While the negative impacts to biodiversity are clear, what is also often missed is that Rhododendron inhibits natural regeneration of native woodland. A healthy woodland like this would be able to hold and sequester much more carbon than a Rhododendron monoculture.
As a first step, a mapping project has been commissioned to survey the extent of these species on Raasay. This will be done using ground surveying and aerial drone surveying. Anyone with local knowledge or skills who could possibly collaborate on this project is welcome to get in touch – tom.cniraasay@outlook.com.
CNI has been working alongside the community-run walled garden to try to get one of the old Victorian-style glass houses reinstated to increase food production capacity. Along with increasing indoor growing capacity, it could enable the garden to bring in much needed revenue through other streams and in turn help fund the production of more veg! The first step is getting the garden connected to mains electric and having the ground works done.