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Scotland’s Rainforest: A Fresh Chance to Thrive
Action to protect Scotland’s rainforest is underway.
Did you know Scotland has its very own rainforest?
It’s a lush mix of ancient trees, mosses, and lichens, but sadly only a small fraction of it survives today. Years of invasive plants and hungry deer have left it fragile and fragmented. Restoring it will take serious effort — and serious funding.
Scotland’s rainforest stretches across 18,500 km² of the west coast, but only 30,000 hectares of core rainforest remain. Threats include invasive species like Rhododendron ponticum and overgrazing by deer.
That’s where the Alliance for Scotland’s Rainforest and the Argyll Countryside Trust come in. With support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund’s FIRNS programme, they’re exploring how private investment can work alongside public funding to bring the rainforest back to life.
A pilot project in South Knapdale gave a glimpse of what’s possible: thousands of hectares of rainforest restored and new woodland created over the next 40 years. The idea is simple — investors help fund the work, and in return they receive carbon credits tied to the trees’ ability to capture carbon. Those credits can be sold or traded, creating a flow of money that keeps the restoration going.
To make sure everything is done with integrity, ACT and partners have set up standards to measure real benefits for nature and communities, along with a charter to keep greenwashing out of the picture. It’s about balancing risk and reward while keeping local voices involved.
The impact goes far beyond trees. Restoring Scotland’s rainforest means more carbon captured to fight climate change, healthier habitats for rare species, and fresh opportunities for local communities — from jobs to eco‑tourism.
To illustrate the working being taken forward ACT have produced an excellent film demonstrating the work being taken forward and relationships being developed to ensure an effective and equitable approach.
This is a bold experiment in mixing creativity, collaboration, and investment. If it succeeds, Scotland could show the world how nature and finance can grow side by side.
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