HOW CAN I HELP...?
Trees for Life
What does Trees for Life do?
We are working to rewild the Scottish Highlands by protecting and restoring the globally unique Caledonian Forest. We are planting trees, reintroducing native species and inspiring people to get involved.
What species does the area support?
Mammals such as the wild boar, pine marten, wildcat and red squirrel, and birds including the capercaillie, crested tit and endemic Scottish crossbill. In addition, our Dundreggan Conservation Estate has been described as a ‘lost world’ of biodiversity with several rare insects recorded.
What does planting entail?
The trees we plant (more than 30 species) are native to the forest. We plant as naturalistically as possible – so randomly rather than in rows, and without stakes, tubes or labels. Spring and autumn are the busiest planting seasons.
What else do your volunteers do?
All sorts. They check and repair fences, bash bracken, remove invasive species and ‘mark’ deer fences to prevent bird strike. They also help out in our nursery and office. The main opportunity we offer is to join a ‘Conservation Week’ – we run 30 through the year, in different locations. Volunteers spend a week together, planting saplings and learning about the forest.
What’s a recent achievement?
In April we planted our 1,500,000th tree. It was a huge milestone for the forest and a wonderful boost to wildlife and people. We couldn’t have got this far without our volunteers.
What’s planned for the future?
We are starting two groundbreaking projects in 2018: our Caledonian Pinewood Recovery Project and our Skills for Rewilding programme. We also plan to reintroduce more red squirrels, open a new research centre, give excluded groups the chance to volunteer, and bring back beavers.