Trees for Life works with businesses and organisations of all shapes and sizes who are keen to give back to nature, and help us to re-wild the Highlands. This globally unique habitat holds a very special place in people’s hearts.
They are a conservation charity dedicated to rewilding the Scottish Highlands. We have established 44 tree planting sites and planted nearly two million trees.
Current projects include:
- An ambitious proposal to form a coalition with landowners and communities across a large area of the central Highlands.
- A project to save the Caledonian pinewood remnants by encouraging their active management.
- To carefully capture and reintroduce red squirrels from their strongholds and transport them to new forests.
- A Skills for rewarding programme to provide 15 people with high quality, fully-funded training.
- A woodland restoration and management consultancy service.
- Working with individuals, businesses and other charities to introduce people to nature.
A message from Steve, CEO Trees For Life
The last year was a period of change and growth in Trees for Life. Now we are ready to fully achieve our vision of a restored Caledonian forest. We now have ongoing support from some highly respected funders for significant projects which will enable more forest restoration and ensure we have a skilled workforce who can make rewilding happen in Scotland.
We have also seen increased funding from individuals, foundations and businesses too. Every penny given helps us move ever closer to our vision of a restored wild forest in the Scottish Highlands. Thank you. While we are scaling up our impact by developing new projects, the volunteering work that has involved thousands of people in forest restoration over the last 25+ years remains a vital element of what we do. Last year alone over 350 volunteers joined us for a Conservation Week to make their practical contribution to the wild forest.
These weeks change people’s lives by encouraging them to connect with nature and providing time for them to think about the future and what to do in life. Funding these weeks is challenging, but we are determined to develop and improve them so that more people can help grow the Caledonian Forest and get the most out of their experience.
With change comes a new approach. Trees for Life is now working more closely with other organisations, like Woodland Trust Scotland and Rewilding Europe, to create added momentum for rewilding. We cannot restore a huge forest on our own and we are determined that Trees for Life becomes a catalyst for change, enabling communities and landowners to transform Scotland for the better.
Steve Micklewright