Rea's Wood

The Conservation Volunteers at Rea’s Wood

Rea’s Wood is a unique wet woodland stretching along the shores of Lough Neagh near Antrim. Designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC), National Nature Reserve (NNR) and part of the Lough Neagh Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI), it supports a rich variety of wildlife, including rare plants and invertebrates.

Habitat Management Work

TCV’s work focuses on protecting and enhancing the woodland through:

• Controlling Himalayan balsam through annual hand-pulling programmes to reduce and eventually eliminate this invasive species.
• Managing invasive scrub species, including salmonberry, snowberry, sycamore saplings and rhododendron, to support native woodland habitats.
• Controlling Japanese knotweed and giant hogweed using targeted herbicide treatments to prevent their spread.

These measures help conserve one of Northern Ireland’s most important wet woodland habitats, protecting its biodiversity for future generations while maintaining public access to enjoy this special place.