‘Literally growing the future’: volunteers help save Scottish rainforest by collecting 11m seeds
Summary
Volunteers in Scotland have collected 11 million seeds by hand to help restore the Atlantic rainforest, a rare type of wet forest along Scotland's coast. These native trees are grown into seedlings and planted in the right areas to bring back lost parts of this unique habitat.Key Facts
- About 100 volunteers gather seeds from native trees like oak, birch, willow, and yew in remote parts of western Highlands and islands.
- The Atlantic rainforest in Scotland covers only about 30,000 hectares now.
- Seeds are collected using detailed maps that locate ancient woodlands in challenging places.
- Trees for Life, a rewilding group, processes the seeds at a nursery near Inverness to grow seedlings.
- Seedlings are sent back to correct zones to restore forests in projects funded with millions of pounds.
- The Woodland Trust uses these saplings in reforestation projects and sells them to farmers planting small woods.
- Volunteers learn about tree species and ecology during their seed collecting trips.
- Native trees are important because they are adapted to Scotland’s climate and soil, helping them survive as the environment changes.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.