The fight to preserve Scotland's last remnants of Atlantic rainforest has taken a significant step forward with the collection of 11 million native seeds by an dedicated group of volunteers. This painstaking effort has so far led to the growth of nearly 8 million indigenous trees, a crucial milestone in regenerating a unique and endangered temperate habitat.
Over several years, approximately 100 volunteers have given tens of thousands of hours to this conservation initiative. They've braved remote and challenging terrains across the western Highlands and islands, using detailed maps from NatureScot and Scottish Forestry to pinpoint ancient woodland pockets and locate specific seed-bearing trees.
The focus has been on a select variety of trees that colonised Scotland after the last ice age – hazel, sessile oak, dwarf birch, willow, juniper, and wild cherry. Ecologists involved in the project stress that these native species possess the genetic resilience to thrive in Scotland's unique microclimates and soil types, crucial for withstanding a changing climate.
With only an estimated 30,000 hectares of original Atlantic rainforest remaining, conservation efforts are under way on several fronts. The collected seeds are processed and graded by Trees for Life at its nursery near Inverness before being distributed back to their correct ecological zones.
Organisations like the Woodland Trust have incorporated these saplings into large-scale reforestation projects, including sites in Wester Ross and Lochaber. Additionally, saplings have been provided to crofters planting small woodlands on former grazing lands, extending the reach of this vital restoration work.