Trust is restoring wood and peatland on Arran

The National Trust for Scotland has unveiled ambitious plans to help tackle climate change, beginning with the restoration of woodland and peatland on the Isle of Arran.

The plans were revealed yesterday (Tuesday) for World Environment Day, as part of the Trust’s newly revealed corporate strategy to spend almost £60 million on Scotland’s built and natural heritage over the next five years.

The conservation charity, which is a member of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) UK Peatland Programme1, is restoring upland bogs in Coire a’Bhradhain, capturing the carbon stored and repairing damaged peatland.

The National Trust for Scotland has also unveiled an initiative to plant 32 hectares of native trees in Glen Rosa, a glen located on Goatfell – the isle’s highest point.

The Trust aims to renew the natural habitat for wildlife on the island, as well as ensure the preservation of the Arran Whitebeam – one of the most endangered tree species in the world.

By introducing similar projects across its properties through its new five year Corporate Strategy, the Trust hopes to make a significant contribution to the Scottish Government’s forestry and climate change targets.

Stuart Brooks, head of Natural Heritage Policy for National Trust for Scotland, said: ‘The Trust has committed to doing more on its properties to combat climate change and help Scotland’s natural environment adapt.

‘Our work through the IUCN UK Peatland Programme is helping to make the case for peatland conservation across the UK and our restoration work on the ground at places like Goatfell shows what can be achieved.

‘We have other projects on the horizon, including at Ben Lomond and Mar Lodge, which underline our commitment to the entirety of Scotland. On World Environment Day, we’re celebrating a conservation success story, while looking ahead to achieve even more.’

First introduced in 1974 by the UN, World Environment Day encourages worldwide awareness and action for the protection of the environment across over 100 countries.