Scotland Secures £3M to Protect and Restore Temperate Rainforests

The Scottish government is taking significant steps to protect and restore the country's temperate rainforests, which are considered some of the best remaining in Europe. Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon recently announced over £3 million in government funding to support these conservation efforts.

The funding will be used to help remove rhododendrons, a non-native invasive species, from 1,350 hectares of woodland. It will also support the restoration of plantations on ancient woodland sites and measures to control deer populations, which can damage young trees and other plants.

Forestry and Land Scotland has already made impressive progress, restoring more than 2,650 hectares of rainforest since 2023. The additional £3 million in government funding will allow this important work to "go further, faster," according to Gougeon.

Scotland's temperate rainforests are unique ecosystems, characterized by consistent rainfall and mild year-round temperatures that allow for the growth of rare mosses and lichens. Protecting these forests is crucial not only for preserving biodiversity but also for capturing carbon dioxide and helping the country reach its net-zero emissions target by 2045.