Scottish Government’s new approach to Scotland’s rainforest

A new, strategic approach to restoring and expanding Scotland’s rainforest has been launched on the Knoydart peninsula by Mairi Gougeon, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs. The new approach has been warmly welcomed by ASR, as it aligns with our principles of long-term, landscape-scale restoration, and community engagement and benefit, and puts immediate focus on all of ASR’s Landscape-scale Focus Projects.

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New project to build capacity in Scotland’s rainforest begins

Congratulations to Woodland Trust for its successful bid to the National Heritage Lottery Fund for the development phase of a £6.6 million project called Building Capacity in Scotland’s Rainforest. The project, which involves several organisations working collaboratively, aims to bring jobs, skills and capacity into rainforest restoration projects. Four roles are currently being recruited for the initial phase of the project.

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New jobs and economic opportunities from rainforest projects

The establishment of ASR’s Landscape-scale Focus Projects has resulted in a new wave of funding and resource going towards Scotland’s rainforest, kickstarting rainforest restoration into action and bringing new jobs and economic opportunities to rural, west-coast communities. This has been made possible due to the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund, managed by NatureScot, and the National Lottery Heritage Fund, as well as funding from ASR partners, individual donors, companies and charitable trusts.

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Knoydart leading the way on rainforest restoration

Woodland management on the remote peninsula of Knoydart is an excellent example of community-led, landscape-scale rainforest restoration and expansion, with community benefit at its heart. Work started as far back as 1999 after the community buy-out of Knoydart Estate, and continues to this day. The long-term aim is to link up the woodland habitat from Loch Nevis to Loch Hourn, to increase the benefits to the environment, local community and wider public. We’re pleased to now have their work featured as a good practice case study on the ASR website.

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Nature Restoration Fund showcase

Learn how the Nature Restoration Fund is helping a partnership of landowners restore rainforest and other habitats at Loch Arkaig. Henry Dobson, Woodland Trust’s Estate Manager at Loch Arkaig, explains how collaborative working is enabling the full restoration of the rainforest fragments in the glen.

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Looking for a job in the rainforest?

Argyll Coast and Countryside Trust is on the hunt for a Rainforest Volunteer Development Coordinator – one of the four roles associated with the development phase of ASR’s Building Capacity in Scotland’s Rainforest project. This role focuses on creating accessible opportunities for diverse audiences, enhancing their understanding and appreciation of our unique rainforest ecosystem. Deadline for applications is Mon 5 August at 12 noon.

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Volunteers boost ancient woodland and rainforest

Trees for Life has reported that volunteers have collected 2.2 million seeds in just one year to boost ancient native woodlands and rainforest across Scotland. The Tree Seed Collection Project, which is a joint initiative between Trees for Life and Woodland Trust, has involved more than 80 volunteers so far, and the seeds collected during its first year will enable 1.5 million trees to be grown, hugely exceeding an initial target of 500,000 trees.

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Go back in time to explore Scotland’s rainforest

Forestry and Land Scotland has published a new educational resource which explores life in the Mesolithic using rainforest habitat as the backdrop. Users can learn about how Mesolithic people went about their activities, from hunting and trapping, to gathering the wild harvest, to cooking and preserving all that the rainforest provides.

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Find out more at www.savingscotlandsrainforest.org.uk
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