Isle of Seil Rainforest Restoration Proposal

 ACT are a charity working in partnership with communities, public agencies, third sector and private organisations to enhance and promote the coast and countryside of Argyll and the Isles. Our objectives are:

• To care for and enhance our unique natural environment.
• To give people opportunities to experience, learn in and be inspired by nature.
• To encourage investment in Argyll’s natural capital to support our economy.
• To increase opportunities for employment, skills development, and volunteering in our environment.

Scotland’s Rainforest 

Over half of Scotland’s remaining temperate rainforest is found within Argyll & Bute. This rare and unique habitat forms a distinct and spectacular element of Argyll’s landscape. ACT are a partner organisation in the Alliance for Scotland’s Rainforest and with our Argyll Rainforest project, we are working with communities, businesses, and agencies to restore, expand and reconnect fragmented rainforest clusters across Argyll & Bute. The project aims and objectives are to develop an Argyll Rainforest Strategy and establish multi-generational rainforest restoration projects across Argyll & Bute. Restoring these types of diverse long-standing native woodlands can play a key role in tackling the twin biodiversity and climate crisis the planet faces and help to maintain the connection between Argyll’s Rainforest and the communities who visit, live and work in them. 

Priceless Planet Coalition Fund 

In January 2020, Mastercard launched the Priceless Planet Coalition (PPC) to focus efforts and accelerate positive impact on climate change. It pledges to restore 100 million trees over five years as an initial goal. Guided by Conservation International and World Resources Institute, the PPC adheres to robust science-based best practices for project selection, implementation, and long-term monitoring of restoration efforts. 

ACT have been approached by the PPC with an offer to fund a 100,000 tree restoration project(s) as part of our Argyll rainforest project. They are seeking to work with community orientated charities that have the capacity to deliver high value restoration projects resulting in high quality biodiversity and carbon gains. The PPC have developed a monitoring framework that will simultaneously allow for measuring both the socio-economic and environmental impact of the fund, whilst maximising the potential scientific contributions of this ambitious global reforestation initiative. The only obligation that is placed on landowners wishing to participate, is that the restoration target is achieved over the 5-year timeframe of the project. 

Isle of Seil Rainforest Restoration Project – Initial Thoughts 

ACT were contacted in 2021 by members of the Seil Biodiversity group (SB) looking to engage with rainforest restoration. This led to a visit with author Guy Shrubsole to Ballachuan woods and tea and cake hosted by SB. It quickly became apparent how important the fragmented remnant pockets of rainforest on Seil are. In a global sense they are unique and highly valued for their biodiversity. Some of the lichen, bryophyte and fungal communities are globally rare and this rich, diverse habitat, provides an excellent opportunity for a rainforest restoration project focussed on reconnecting these fragmented remnants.

 With over 500 generally permanent residents, over approximately 250 households, we are looking to get a sense of the on-island support for this project proposal. At this very early stage, our initial thoughts are:

• Reconnecting the pockets of ancient woodland that are isolated to inaccessible cliffs running in a NE/SW direction. As an island wide approach this would reconnect the diverse native broadleaf in the north to the Hazelwood’s in the south, creating a continuous woodland network across the island, and intertidally to the mainland at Clachan
• Carrying out techniques that assist natural regeneration, incorporate direct seeding and enrichment planting with locally collected seed. This methodology will result in high quality restoration.
• Recognising that Seil has some fine examples of productive, mycologically rich unimproved grassland habitat that should not be reforested.
• Focussing restoration efforts on marginal ground in between remnant pockets creating a patchwork of natural regenerating enclosures.
• Formalise deer management on Seil.
• Assisting with farm diversification on Seil. Getting ahead of the game and helping Scotland meet its 2030 30% of land restored for nature, and 2045 net-zero targets. • Facilitating on island training, workshops and events relating to rainforest restoration.
• Facilitating local enterprise associated with rainforest restoration on Seil.
• Ensuring the project evolves through the partnership between ACT and Seil Island community and leaves an enduring legacy.

I hope to attend a community meeting arranged by the biodiversity group at the end of August, where I can answer any questions that you might have. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact me directly to discuss this proposal. 

Ian Dow - Mobile: 07984 449857 email: ian@act-now.org.uk ACT Woodland Co-ordinator