Raehills is undertaking a complete regeneration of its policies, removing non-native species in favour of restoring a diverse array of habitats. Rhododendron ponticum was historically planted as an ornamental, aesthetically pleasing species, but has, over time, swamped the policy woodlands, providing no biodiversity value in the process. Raehills has undertaken to remove it completely and replace it with ponds and planned wildflower meadow amongst the remaining woodland. Natural regeneration is also playing its part with bluebells appearing.
Rhododendron has no biodiversity value for invertebrate life, birds or any other species. It darkened the woodland and completely shaded out the woodland floor, blocking light and inhibiting regeneration. There was a desire to regenerate the native woodland habitat and in the process provide more wetland habitat, something which is generally lacking in the wider landscape. The primary driver for undertaking the work was to restore valuable biodiversity.
Currently the ponds are 'bedding in' with invertebrate life adjusting. Natural regeneration has begun on the woodland floor now that light can penetrate the canopy and the Estate are busy planning which wildflower species to sow in order to aid a swifter recovery. In the future they hope to have healthy amphibian populations and potentially a greater diversity of breeding birdlife. As the habitat lies within the policies, it is not generally disturbed by access takers and the hope is that the lack of disturbance will be attractive to wildlife. As the wildflower meadows develop, it is expected that pollinator populations will increase and with that, species further up the food chain. This habitat restoration contributed to Raehills successfully renewing its WES accreditation in 2020 which it has held for 8 years in total.