Trees For Life

The Caledonian forest is made up of dozens of native tree species. 🌳 At our Dundreggan nursery, we grow a rich mix of these trees to help restore diverse, healthy woodlands across the Highlands.

With the trees now in full leaf, our nursery team is busy preparing and packing trees for restoration projects – including those planted by volunteers during our autumn Rewilding Weeks.

From seed to sapling, it all happens here. 🌱

Caledonian pinewoods are among our oldest and richest habitats. They are characterised by wild Scots pines, descended from Scotland’s once-vast ancient forests.

We’re on a mission to identify and map these important refuge areas and ancient pine populations so they can become targets for restoration action 🙌

Discover more about our Wild Pine Project, in collaboration with Woodland Trust Scotland 👉 https://treesforlife.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do/wild-pines/
TreadRight

Trees for Life CEO, Steve Micklewright, met Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch MSP Andrew Baxter for a short online discussion about the Lynx to Scotland project last week.

He heard about the project and the work it is doing, especially the local consultation that is concluding in the region. Andrew was interested to find out more about the project and the work it is doing in communities to discuss the possible reintroduction. He is interested about the possible return of lynx, but wants to be certain that any reintroduction project is beneficial to rural communities and any impacts can be managed.

Highland Voice - Andrew Baxter SCOTLAND: The Big Picture The Lifescape Project Rewilding Britain

🔥 Wildfire is everyone's problem. So let's join forces.

This week, Scotland's Chief Fire Officer, Stuart Stevens, has called for a “broader national conversation” about how Scotland manages wildfire risk, stressing that reducing its impact will require a shared national commitment.

We couldn't agree more. When it comes to reducing wildfire risk, no single approach has all the answers. We need to focus on what we can learn from each other.

That's why 𝘄𝗲'𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗰𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗲 𝗮 𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁, bringing together land managers, emergency services, conservationists, communities, businesses and policy makers to pool our knowledge.

We need an honest, practical conversation that turns all that collective expertise into a joined-up plan – protecting people and landscapes now, while building greater resilience for the future.

Let’s work together to give Scotland the upper hand over future wildfires.

👉 Read our press release: https://rewild.pulse.ly/e7rronsaen

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service

📷 SCOTLAND: The Big Picture

Together, we can grow Scotland’s forests. 🌳 Every tree is part of something bigger - helping restore native woodland, creating space for wildlife and bringing more life back to our landscapes.

Sponsor a tree and be part of Scotland’s rewilding journey 👉 https://treesforlife.org.uk/support/plant-a-tree/

One person can make a difference. A group can make an even bigger one. 💚 Our Rewilding Weeks bring people together to get hands-on restoring nature in the Scottish Highlands.

Learn new skills. Make friends. Help nature thrive. 🌳

Join a Rewilding Week this autumn 👉 https://treesforlife.org.uk/support/volunteer/rewilding-weeks/

Pioneering research into nature and mental health at Dundreggan Rewilding Centre 🌳 Rural school pupils have been working alongside researchers from University of South Wales to explore how time in nature can support young people’s mental health and wellbeing.

As part of the Healthy Young Minds project, pupils spent time in nature at Dundreggan rewilding estate, taking part in nature-rich activities and sharing their own ideas for how outdoor experiences could support the wellbeing of young people in rural communities.

Franny Schlicke, Trees for Life’s Visitor Experience and Operations Supervisor at Dundreggan, said: “Supporting young people’s mental health is so important…This research project highlights why everyone should have the opportunity to get out into nature, to enjoy its health and wellbeing benefits, and see for themselves why it needs protecting and restoring.”

Read the full story 👉 https://treesforlife.org.uk/scottish-rewilding-estate-hosts-pioneering-research-into-nature-and-mental-health/

UHI University of Dundee NHS Highland Ewen's Room Kinlochlovin'

Beavers are making a remarkable comeback. 🦫 By creating wetlands, they help wildlife thrive, improve water quality and reduce flooding.

In Glen Affric, they've already built their first dam and welcomed the first baby beavers born in the glen in over 400 years. 💚

Swipe to learn more about this incredible keystone species 👉 https://treesforlife.org.uk/about-us/missing-species/beavers/

📷 2. Pete Cairns

Snake or lizard? 🦎🐍 Despite their appearance, slow worms are actually legless lizards. They're masters of disguise, found in habitats from woodlands and heathlands to gardens and compost heaps.

Learn more about this fascinating native reptile 👉 https://treesforlife.org.uk/into-the-forest/trees-plants-animals/others/slow-worm/