Trees for Life (Scotland)

This article may require copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone, or spelling. You can assist by editing it. (November 2024) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

This article contains promotional content. Please help improve it by removing promotional language and inappropriate external links, and by adding encyclopedic text written from a neutral point of view. (November 2024) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

Trees for Life is a registered charity working to rewild the Scottish Highlands. The organization was founded in 1986 by Alan Watson Featherstone.

Trees for Life was founded in 1986 by Alan Watson Featherstone, as a project under the Findhorn Foundation. Practical work began in 1989, and the first volunteer week was held in 1991. Trees for Life was registered as an independent charity in 1993.

Trees for Life works to to restore the Caledonian Forest, especially in Glen Affric where one of the most important fragments of Caledonian Forest survived.^[2] In August 2008 Trees for Life purchased the 10,000 acre Dundreggan Estate in Glenmoriston, in the Scottish Highlands – one of the largest areas of land in the UK to be bought for forest restoration.^[3] Trees for Life states that its long-term plan will see Dundreggan restored to a wild landscape of diverse natural forest cover, with the return of native wildlife. In 2020, golden eagles, a spectacular bird of prey, returned to breed at the estate for the first time in 40 years.^[4]

The charity established the Dundreggan Rewilding Centre, the first of its kind in the world, and opened in April 2023 at the Dundreggan Estate.^[5]

Initial work took place in Glen Cannich, but they have also supported woodland creation in Glen Affric, where they operate in partnership with Forestry and Land Scotland and the National Trust for Scotland. Since the early days, work expanded into other nearby glens, such as Glenmoriston, to the south of Glen Affric, at Achnashellach, and at Corrimony, where they worked in partnership with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.^{[citation needed]}

Affric Highlands ^[6] is a 30-year collaborative initiative by Trees for Life and Rewilding Europe who are working to restore woodland, peatland and riverside habitats in the Scottish Highlands. Rewilding supports nature, climate and people by boosting biodiversity, creating jobs, and supporting re-peopling. In June 2022, Affric Highlands was recommended for UN flagship status by the Scottish and UK governments.^[7]

• Rewilding Britain - an organisation founded in 2015 that aims to promote the rewilding of Great Britain.
• Rewilding Europe - a non-profit organisation established in 2011 dedicated to creating rewilded landscapes throughout Europe.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Trees for Life.

• Official website
• "Trees for Life, Registered Charity no. SC021303". Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator.