Four new landscape-scale focus projects

The momentum of the Saving Scotland’s Rainforest movement is building rapidly. Four new ASR Landscape-scale Focus Projects have been added to the map recently, giving us seven projects in total. These projects, which are led by ASR partner organisations, conform to a particular set of criteria and are backed by the whole Alliance. The latest projects are at Craignish, Knapdale, Loch Lomond and West Cowal.

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How to save Scotland’s rainforest

Land managers are crucial when it comes to restoring Scotland’s rainforest. Plantlife Scotland’s training workshops in focus project areas have been raising awareness of the importance of rainforest habitat and explaining how to manage it well. There is guidance on our website to support this activity, as well as helpful links to resources. Look for the section called “For Land Managers”.

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Good practice for community engagement

Tackling the threats to Scotland’s rainforest requires collaborative action across landscapes - a commitment lasting many years. It can therefore only be effective if local communities benefit and get involved. The ASR has recently published guidance for those leading landscape-scale rainforest restoration projects, to help involve and empower communities from the start.

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New rainforest hub to be established in Argyll

Congratulations to Argyll Coast and Countryside Trust for their recent award from the National Lottery Heritage Fund for a new rainforest hub project. Plans include recruiting and training a Rainforest Squad to carry out rainforest management; employing a Farm and Croft Woodland Advisor to advise on woodland restoration and creation (see below); and creating a tree nursery to provide saplings of west coast provenance.

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Exciting new job opportunity in the rainforest

Argyll Coast and Countryside Trust have an exciting new job vacancy. Working in partnership with the Argyll Small Woods Co-op, NatureScot and Scottish Forestry, they are looking for a Farm and Croft Woodland Advisor. The successful applicant will help people who own or manage parcels of rainforest to develop plans for native woodland creation, protection and restoration. The deadline is 8 January.

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And there will soon be another job to apply for on the Morvern peninsula in the West Highlands. RSPB will be advertising for a role to lead a small team dedicated to practical habitat management work. Get in touch with Ellen Bird to learn more or look out for the job advert coming soon on the RSPB website.

Public grant re-jigged for the rainforest

Changes have been made to the Forestry Grant Scheme to better support projects that help restore and expand Scotland’s rainforest. These include extending the target area for planting new native woodlands, doubling the grant for natural regeneration, and improving support for rhododendron control and cooperative deer management. Announcing the funding boost, Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon said: “We are committed to restoring and expanding our iconic Atlantic rainforest. It’s an iconic and unique Scottish treasure.”

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Our highlights of 2023

Saving Scotland’s rainforest is an ambitious and challenging project, but there has been some great progress this year, thanks to the incredible collaborative efforts of all the ASR partners and many others! So please grab a mince pie and a glass of mulled wine, and watch our festive summary of 2023.

> Watch our 2023 highlights

Find out more at www.savingscotlandsrainforest.org.uk
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