Team assembles to upskill the west coast to save Scotland’s rainforest
PR & communications officer - Scotland
A team of nature conservationists have come together to develop a skill-boosting programme equipping local people to earn a living saving Scotland's rainforest.
The Our Rainforest Futures project has been made possible by funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Project development manager Diane Leishman said:
"There is a huge task ahead protecting and expanding Scotland's rainforest, and we want to see people who live in the rainforest zone empowered to take advantage of employment opportunities that emerge.
"Some of the skills required are in short supply, so our aim is to provide the training necessary to make sure local people can access these jobs.
"Our vision is a movement of custodians equipped and enabled to save Scotland’s rainforest."
Our Rainforest Futures is an Alliance for Scotland's Rainforest project led by the Woodland Trust. Project partners include Argyll and the Isles Coast and Countryside Trust, Community Woodlands Association, Plantlife Scotland, RSPB Scotland, Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) and the Scottish Rainforest Education Centre.
A wide variety of skills will ultimately be required but initial demand is likely to be in dealing with invasive species such as rhododendron, and surveying to assess where conservation efforts should be targeted. That needs people with skills such as biological surveying, drone piloting, species identification and biodiversity monitoring.
Scotland's rainforest is made up of the native woodlands found on our west coast in a zone running from Sutherland down through Wester Ross and Lochaber to Argyll.
High levels of rainfall and relatively mild temperatures year-round provide just the right conditions for some of the world’s rarest mosses, liverworts and lichens.
As little as 30,000 hectares remain – a mere 2% of Scotland's woodland cover and only a fraction of the area that has suitable climatic conditions.
Engagement and communications officer Helen Mason said:
"The people who live and work in the rainforest zone are essential to securing its future. Our Rainforest Futures aims to mobilise, train and equip people with the skills and knowledge to be its guardians and advocates. The project will increase awareness of the rainforest, build capacity and expand the available workforce. It will seek opportunities for local people to gain wellbeing, economic and social benefits from the rainforest."
In 2025 the team and project partners will be researching, scoping and piloting activities. There will be opportunities to get involved with workshops learning about rainforest species, share ideas and try out practical restoration activities.
Notes to editors
For further information please contact George Anderson on 07900 891691.
About the Woodland Trust
The Woodland Trust is the largest woodland conservation charity in the UK with more than 500,000 supporters.
With a vision of a world where woods and trees thrive for people and nature, today the Trust owns and cares for more than 1,000 woodland sites, covering around 33,000 hectares.
The Woodland Trust has three key aims:
- protecting the UK's rare, unique and irreplaceable ancient woodland
- restoring damaged ancient woodland, nurturing precious pieces of our natural heritage back to life
- establishing new native trees and woods to create healthy, resilient landscapes for people and wildlife.
Access to all Woodland Trust woods is free so everyone can experience the physical and mental benefits of trees.