Trees For Life

Our Tree Seed Collection Project in partnership with Woodland Trust Scotland is boosting the availability of native trees and it wouldn’t be possible without the support of nearly 100 volunteers 🌰

One wonderful lead volunteer is Ruth, who is an extremely pro-active and passionate seed collector. From gathering hazel nuts in ancient wood pasture in the glen to trips high up on the hillside to collect dwarf birch seed, Ruth knows her local area and trees well:

“I’ve lived near Glen Finglas for 40 years and feel a deep connection with the area. I love seed collecting because it’s a chance to do something really positive for our natural environment.”

Whilst another volunteer, Jim, collected nearly 60kg of acorns for the project last year 💪

"The project has given me a wonderful opportunity to expand my knowledge and awareness of the native trees around us and to contribute to a national effort to replant swathes of our countryside and help mitigate climate change. It's hugely satisfying tracking down new species and collecting and sending off seeds for others to grow on. " - Jim

A huge thank you to our amazing volunteers who collect tree seeds from the vital ancient woodlands remaining in western Scotland. Find out more 👉 https://treesforlife.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do/tree-seed-collection/

Introducing the lesser twayblade, a tiny orchid of pinewoods and heathlands 🌸 This delicate wildflower has two heart-shaped leaves, which sit opposite one another on a reddish stem. 💚 Peak flowering time is from mid-May to mid-July.

This one was spotted during a Wild Pine survey. 🌲

📷 Thanks to James Rainey, our Senior Ecologist, for the photo

For more than 25 years, Rob has volunteered as a Rewilding Week guide. His incredible contribution has been felt across Trees for Life - by staff, fellow volunteers, and the landscapes he has helped restore. Thank you! 🌳🌲

“Volunteering has been a very significant part of my life for a quarter century. As a life long sufferer from social anxiety, I wanted to push my social boundaries.

Looking back, the idea of helping restore native woodland was very attractive, but spending a week in close quarters with strangers felt like an extreme test. The first week was terrifying. But the following year I came back, and then another year after that. Eventually, I trained to help lead the weeks myself.

As biodiversity loss and climate breakdown have intensified, volunteering with Trees for Life has become a lifeline. The visible positive impact keeps optimism alive. The bare hillside we planted with tiny trees 25 years ago is now thriving woodland, filled with birdsong. Over the years, speaking with volunteers and seeing growing support for nature gives me hope.” - Rob

Find out more about our volunteer Rewilding Weeks 👉 https://treesforlife.org.uk/support/volunteer/rewilding-weeks/

Did you know Scotland contains around 13% of the world's blanket bog? 💦 Healthy peatlands are excellent carbon stores. They also filter water, help reduce flood and wildfire risk, and provide vital habitats for a wide range of plants and animals including mosses, lichens, birds, water voles, frogs and insects. 🐝

Over many years, drainage, peat extraction, wildfires, overgrazing and trampling have all contributed to peatland damage.

Restoration work - like the work we’ve been carrying out at Dundreggan - includes reprofiling peat hags and gullies, blocking old drains, and creating dams to rewet the landscape and help plants re-establish. 🌿

By restoring natural processes, we can help peatlands begin to heal themselves. 🙌

📷 1-2. Tracks Ecology Ltd. 3. Paul Campbell. 4. Gwen Raes

The Global Rewilding Alliance have shared the 12 Principles of Rewilding - a global framework for restoring ecosystems by working with nature and communities. 🌳🤝

Rooted in interconnectedness, hope, and collaboration, the principles show how we can support nature recovery at scale while protecting what remains.

Rewilding is a hopeful, collective pathway toward a healthier, wilder, and more resilient planet. 🌎

Dive into the principles 👉 https://globalrewilding.earth/12-principles-of-rewilding-rewilding-practitioners-putting-theory-in-action/