Trees for Life, Scotland
Scotland, Highlands
Projects in Glen Affric, Glen Moriston and Glen Carron
Ecosystem: The Caledonian Forest
Species: Caledonian Scot's pine, aspen, birch, rowan, oak, hazel,
Significance: The Caledonian Forest once covered large areas of the Highlands of Scotland, as extensive stands of Scot's pine, interspersed with birch, rowan, juniper and aspen trees. The pinewoods have many associated species, which are also under threat, such as the wild cat, pine marten, red squirrel, Scottish crossbill, capercaillie, black grouse, twinflower, wintergreens and orchids.
Description: The Caledonian Forest now covers less than 1% of its former extent, and survives in isolated pockets. The Forest area was reduced by the pressures of man, in the form of logging for timber, clearance for farming and roads; and by the climate which became warmer and wetter, about 4 thousand years ago. The regeneration of the trees was limited by grazing animals and so the forest continues to shrink as the remaining old trees die.
Start Date: 1/1/1981
Course of action: We run week-long programmes each spring and autumn, for volunteers to help with our practical restoration work. We also have several ongoing projects to help protect woodland and treeline ecosystem remnants.
Full Time Workers: 10
Volunteer Workers: 100's each year
Valued Skills: Each volunteer week has places for 10 volunteers, and we run 17 weeks in spring and 12 weeks in autumn. Anyone who is reasonably fit and 18 or older can take part. The purpose of the weeks is to help restore our degraded ecosystems, and also to enjoy being part of nature and living and working with like-minded people. We ask for participation costs from £32 to £78 per week, accomodation and vegetarian food included.
Achievements: Since 1989, when our practical work started, we have planted over 429, 500 native trees, and have protected numerous areas with fenced exclosures so that natural regeneration of the forest can take place. In 1991 we were declared the UK Conservation Project of the Year, and in 2000 we received the Millenium Marque Award for demonstrating environmental excellence for the 21st century.
Goals: The main focus of our work is to assist the natural regeneration of the Caledonian Forest. Our long-term goal is to aid the restoration of the Caledonian Forest to an area of 600 square miles in the north-central Highlands, and to re-introduce the missing species of wildlife which formerly lived in the Forest.
Sponsors: Grants and donations from trusts, foundations, companies and government bodies. Private donations, memberships and volunteer payments. Sale of mechandise, such as our own calendar, diary and t-shirt, waterclour prints and our Tree Certificate scheme.
Part of Exchange Program: No
References: Trees for Life quarterly newsletter. Species Profiles of the species still present in the Caledonian Forest ecosystem.
Related Projects: Moor Trees, Devon.
Other Information: All our volunteer programmes take place in remote areas of the Highlands. Accomodation varies with location and time of year, from the remote bothy in Glen Affric to chalets in Glen Moriston.
