Take a bough to restore the Caledonian pine forest

Through his Trees for Life project, Alan Watson Featherstone has made it his life’s work to restore Glen Affric’s ancient pine forest. There’s a certain irony to meeting Alan outside the massive Vue Cinema in Inverness, for the city’s sprawling urbanisation is a far cry from the conservationist’s usual habitat. Featherstone has been at the…

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Time’s running out in vote to save red squirrels

Scotland’s only entry in the Forests category of a leading international conservation competition could this week secure funding to create a lifeline for Scotland’s red squirrels. It would also boosting nature tourism and the Gaelic language in the northwest Highlands. Trees for Life’s Reds Return initiative will receive more than £25,000 from the European Outdoor…

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Your vote could help stop red squirrel extinction

An innovative Highlands project bidding to stop Scotland’s red squirrels from becoming extinct will be stepped up if conservation charity Trees for Life wins an online vote for a major European funding award. With the UK’s red squirrels at risk, the charity’s pioneering Reds Return project has been shortlisted to receive more than £25,000 in…

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Marking 10 years of restoring the Caledonian Forest

The 10th anniversary of restoring the Caledonian Forest has been celebrated by conservation charity Trees for Life. Its flagship Dundreggan Conservation Estate in Glenmoriston has been carefully looked after for a decade, and also marks an ongoing commitment to investing in the local community. The charity’s supporters and children from Invergarry Primary School attended a…

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Squirrel crossing is helping to save so many lives

We’ve all heard of zebra and pelican crossings but in the Highlands of Scotland, there’s a new innovation – the squirrel crossing! This specially designed rope bridge is slung between trees high over a Highlands road is giving red squirrels a safe crossing. Camera footage has revealed regular use of the bridge by the charismatic…

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Hundreds give support to Scottish wildlife book

Hundreds of people are backing the creation of a landmark book showcasing the benefits of a wilder Scotland. Trees for Life’s crowdfunding appeal to raise at least £20,000 has passed the 80 per cent mark in its first two weeks, with the conservation charity ‘thrilled’ by a wave of positive responses to the initiative. The…

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New book aims to inspire Scotland’s natural sights

Golden eagles, beavers, ospreys and pine martens will take centre stage in a landmark new conservation book aiming to inspire a sea change in attitudes towards a wilder Scotland. Scotland: A Rewilding Journey will lay out a vision of how rewilding could transform Scotland and benefit its people and wildlife. It is being supported by…

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Boosting Highland forests with some funghi fun

An innovative trial to boost reforestation of the Highlands is underway – using a mysterious mushroom mixture set. Trees for Life will harness the power of local mushrooms to boost reforestation at its Dundreggan Conservation Estate in Glenmoriston near Loch Ness. The conservation charity’s experts and volunteers are to introduce a special mix of spores…

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Plan to catch illegal Beauly beavers is put on hold

Scottish Natural Heritage’s work to relocate a group of beavers living on a river in the Beauly area has been suspended until early next year. The animals were released illegally, with three having previously been captured in the area. Two later died in captivity. However, the news to suspend their capture has surprised landowners and…

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