Scottish government allocates £5 million for rainforest restoration

The Scottish government has announced a further £5 million investment in rainforest restoration, helping more than 1,200 hectares of degraded rainforest habitat on the road to recovery.

Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon, said: “Rainforest restoration needs to be done at a landscape scale, in partnership with organisations, landowners and land managers, and this funding will help to develop and deliver a range of collaborative projects.”

> Protecting our rainforests

Common Ground Forum wins Nature of Scotland Award

Several rainforest projects were nominated in the RSPB’s Nature of Scotland Awards, which were announced in November, and the Common Ground Forum scooped the Innovation Award. The Common Ground Forum is a network of individuals from across Scotland’s upland deer management sector, who are being supported by civic mediators to work together in a collaborative approach to deer management.

> Big win for nature

New team gets to work restoring Morvern’s rainforest

RSPB Scotland’s Saving Morvern's Rainforest is an ambitious project, which includes removing invasive Rhododendron ponticum from an entire peninsula. Watch this video to see the work being done by the all-female team, and hear about how the project is creating green jobs.

> Making a difference

ACT celebrates 10th anniversary

When Argyll Countryside Trust celebrated their 10th anniversary this December, they reflected on five highlights from their rainforest restoration work over the years. This included a glimpse into how they’re combining tradition, cutting-edge technology, and community spirit to protect this unique habitat for generations to come.

> Argyll in action

Building Capacity project re-launches as Our Rainforest Futures

A dedicated team of people from ASR organisations have launched an initiative that aims to help local communities develop the skills and capacity needed to restore rainforest landscapes. The project, which has been re-named Our Rainforest Futures, is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, and seeks to bring social and economic benefits to people living in the rainforest zone.

> Working together

British rainforest garden at Chelsea to inspire support for lost woodlands

For any readers planning to visit the RHS Chelsea Flower Show this year, make sure to check out The Wildlife Trusts’ British Rainforest Garden. Created with the help of award-winning designer Zoe Claymore, the garden will evoke the lush, wet woodlands that once swathed the west coast, with mounds of mosses, ferns, and flowers like bluebells and foxgloves. 

> Can you dig it?

Rainforest highlights of 2024

2024 was another amazing year for everyone working to save Scotland’s rainforest, as restoration projects and habitat work began; a new rainforest strategy was released; and a rare fungus caused a bit of a stir! Here are just a few of the highlights to remember as we get set for what’s likely to be another busy year…

> Looking back

Find out more at www.savingscotlandsrainforest.org.uk
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