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Isle of Man: Temperate Rainforest Haven?
29 May
Summary
- Isle of Man is nearly 100% suitable for temperate rainforest.
- 30,000 trees planted over three years at Creg y Cowin reserve.
- Hundreds of volunteers supported the restoration project.

The Isle of Man possesses a climate and geography that makes it almost entirely suitable for temperate rainforest development. This assessment comes after a significant tree-planting initiative by the Manx Wildlife Trust (MWT).
Over the past three years, volunteers helped plant 30,000 trees at the MWT's Creg y Cowin reserve. This 105-acre site, acquired by the charity in 2023, was previously used for grazing. Its location between two rivers and limited agricultural value identified it as an ideal candidate for rainforest restoration.
According to MWT chief executive Graham Makepeace-Warne, the success of the project relies on both continued tree planting and time. The effort has been significantly bolstered by the support of hundreds of volunteers.