UK Temperate Rainforests

The Wildlife Trusts’ Atlantic rainforest recovery programme

The Wildlife Trusts

British rainforests have been largely destroyed over hundreds of years and now cover less than 1% of Britain. The restoration of this precious habitat is part of a wider programme of nature-based projects funded by Aviva to remove carbon from the atmosphere and to help nature recover.

Local communities will be closely involved in rainforest projects and will benefit from increased access to nature, volunteering, educational and employment opportunities. Rainforest recovery will also provide cleaner air and water and reduced risk from flooding.

The ambitious programme will see temperate rainforests restored and expanded in areas where they used to grow along the damper, western climes of the British Isles. The map below shows this zone highlighted alongside markers of current project locations.

Creg y Cowin

The first to benefit from Aviva’s new fund, Manx Wildlife Trust’s Creg y Cowin is a 105 acre site currently made up of a dense conifer plantation. Manx Wildlife Trust will work in conjunction with the Isle of Man Woodland Trust to plant a new woodland-pasture temperate rainforest habitat over the first five years of the project. Low impact grazing will be re-introduced after 10-15 years to manage the site as agroforestry, in line with the Isle’s current agroenvironment scheme. The new rainforest will help to increase water purity for the West Baldwin Reservoir and aid natural flood prevention.

Bryn Ifan

Bryn Ifan is a 450 acre farm near Clynnog Fawr, now owned by North Wales Wildlife Trust (Ymddiriedolaeth Natur Gogledd Cymru). There will be a strong focus on involving the local community through both an engagement programme and various volunteering opportunities, particularly during the initial rainforest establishment phase. A number of engagement events have already been held on site, with opportunities for local farmers to ask questions about the benefits of Atlantic rainforest, as well as to raise concerns over what these projects will mean for their landscapes.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Bowden Pillars

Devon Wildlife Trust have secured Bowden Pillars Farm as part of a consortium with The Apricot Centre and Regenerative Settlement. Bowden Pillars is a 140 acre property south of Totnes, located on the eastern ridge, bordering the river Dart estuary and with views over Dartmoor. The aim of this site is to demonstrate rewilding, regenerative farming, and sustainable living in one location; Devon Wildlife Trust will lead on the rewilding element and will take on approximately 75 acres for rainforest establishment. The consortium will put the local community of Totnes at the centre of its plans, inviting residents to volunteer with planting, take part in biodiversity surveys, and assist with longer-term monitoring.

Trellwyn Fach

Trellwyn Fach is a 146 acre site in Pembrokeshire, and The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales’ first project within the wider programme. Its location is of particular importance as it offers the opportunity to expand the Gwan Valley woodlands, housing existing fragments of temperate rainforest. Trellwyn Fach also neighbours Pengelli Forest, one of the largest woodland nature reserves in Pembrokeshire. Being only 2 miles from Fishguard, there is huge potential to engage with the local community and schools, during planting season and beyond.

Glion Darragh

Offered to Manx Wildlife Trust as a generous gift, Glion Darragh is a 164 acre site, a 15 minute drive from Douglas, the island’s capital. The valley already contains a small relic area of ancient woodland (ghost rainforest), one of only 30 remaining across the whole Isle of Man, and includes Manx ancient woodland species such as Hairy Woodrush and Hazel.

Skiddaw Forest

The largest site in the programme to date, Cumbria Wildlife Trust have acquired the iconic 3,000 acre Skiddaw mountain and forest. For now, it is estimated that 600-700 acres might be suitable for temperate rainforest restoration, with plans underway for vast areas of blanket peatland, heathland, and meadow restoration too. Since access to Skiddaw is fairly limited, Cumbria Wildlife Trust are discussing several creative ways to involve the local community in getting seeds onsite and trees in the ground. Skiddaw House boasts itself to be the highest hostel in England, and although not owned by Cumbria Wildlife Trust, it could facilitate some exciting engagement opportunities.

Creg y Cowin

The first to benefit from Aviva’s new fund, Manx Wildlife Trust’s Creg y Cowin is a 105 acre site currently made up of a dense conifer plantation. Manx Wildlife Trust will work in conjunction with the Isle of Man Woodland Trust to plant a new woodland-pasture temperate rainforest habitat over the first five years of the project. Low impact grazing will be re-introduced after 10-15 years to manage the site as agroforestry, in line with the Isle’s current agroenvironment scheme. The new rainforest will help to increase water purity for the West Baldwin Reservoir and aid natural flood prevention.

Bryn Ifan

Bryn Ifan is a 450 acre farm near Clynnog Fawr, now owned by North Wales Wildlife Trust (Ymddiriedolaeth Natur Gogledd Cymru). There will be a strong focus on involving the local community through both an engagement programme and various volunteering opportunities, particularly during the initial rainforest establishment phase. A number of engagement events have already been held on site, with opportunities for local farmers to ask questions about the benefits of Atlantic rainforest, as well as to raise concerns over what these projects will mean for their landscapes.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Bowden Pillars

Devon Wildlife Trust have secured Bowden Pillars Farm as part of a consortium with The Apricot Centre and Regenerative Settlement. Bowden Pillars is a 140 acre property south of Totnes, located on the eastern ridge, bordering the river Dart estuary and with views over Dartmoor. The aim of this site is to demonstrate rewilding, regenerative farming, and sustainable living in one location; Devon Wildlife Trust will lead on the rewilding element and will take on approximately 75 acres for rainforest establishment. The consortium will put the local community of Totnes at the centre of its plans, inviting residents to volunteer with planting, take part in biodiversity surveys, and assist with longer-term monitoring.

Trellwyn Fach

Trellwyn Fach is a 146 acre site in Pembrokeshire, and The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales’ first project within the wider programme. Its location is of particular importance as it offers the opportunity to expand the Gwan Valley woodlands, housing existing fragments of temperate rainforest. Trellwyn Fach also neighbours Pengelli Forest, one of the largest woodland nature reserves in Pembrokeshire. Being only 2 miles from Fishguard, there is huge potential to engage with the local community and schools, during planting season and beyond.

Glion Darragh

Offered to Manx Wildlife Trust as a generous gift, Glion Darragh is a 164 acre site, a 15 minute drive from Douglas, the island’s capital. The valley already contains a small relic area of ancient woodland (ghost rainforest), one of only 30 remaining across the whole Isle of Man, and includes Manx ancient woodland species such as Hairy Woodrush and Hazel.

Skiddaw Forest

The largest site in the programme to date, Cumbria Wildlife Trust have acquired the iconic 3,000 acre Skiddaw mountain and forest. For now, it is estimated that 600-700 acres might be suitable for temperate rainforest restoration, with plans underway for vast areas of blanket peatland, heathland, and meadow restoration too. Since access to Skiddaw is fairly limited, Cumbria Wildlife Trust are discussing several creative ways to involve the local community in getting seeds onsite and trees in the ground. Skiddaw House boasts itself to be the highest hostel in England, and although not owned by Cumbria Wildlife Trust, it could facilitate some exciting engagement opportunities.