Helping green spaces grow

1. Restoring the Celtic rainforest

Has your dog ever been to a rainforest? Ours neither. Let's make it happen.

Plant One are working with communities (like you), businesses (like us), and landowners, to preserve and restore the UK's historic temperate rainforest.

With over half our woodlands in the UK in private ownership, creating accessible woodlands is the key focus, they work with landowners who grant access or have public footpaths – so you, your dog, and, well, everyone really, can enjoy it… just don’t forget to bring poop bags.

Only 2% of the UK's original temperate rainforest remains.

And only 9% of Cornwall is covered by woodland* (the lowest in Europe, eeesh). Plant One is working to preserve and expand this natural dreamland to take Cornwall back to its wilder roots.

Woodland restoration > tree planting

It's not just tree planting. Trees are a big part of it (being woodland restoration) but Plant One take a more holistic view, asking what the best way is to established woodland including natural regen, herbivore control and management of the land (also known as managed neglect).

They work with the land, choose the method that is most suited to that particular site, treading carefully, and assessing each individually. The outcome is woodlands, creating a beautiful, biodiverse space, with abundance of habitats. A place for wildlife to thrive, and trails for humans to enjoy with their dog.

Celtic rainforests across the continent

Once there was a huge and connected temperate rainforest stretching through Europe and the Celtic countries of the British Isles, but only fragmented parts of this rare and important ecosystem remains. Cornwall has the perfect growing conditions for this important woodland so that’s where Plant One are focusing their efforts for now - but their ambitions stretch further.

Plant One are working to connect these isolated woodlands right across the country. Native wildlife thrives in these damp dense forests, and they contribute to the fight against climate change.

Let's talk numbers.

Plant One and its partners restore 30 acres of woodland every year, including 20,000 trees. Each year, every 30 acres restored has the capacity to sequester 10,000 tonnes of carbon from the atmosphere, whilst supporting the UK's biodiversity through habitat creation.

More about Plant One

Plant One Cornwall is a not-for-profit woodland creation company dedicated to restoring native woodlands across the county. They're a small but enthusiastic team that focuses on the threat of climate change and the ecological crisis by taking direct action. Our unique approach empowers businesses, landowners and communities to create tangible, local solutions to these global problems. Read more here.

All photos are taken on site at Plant One projects.

2. Rewilding the Scottish Highlands

Trees for Life stands at the forefront of rewilding in the Scottish Highlands. Hopeful and bold, they are committed to creating nature-rich landscapes that include and support people. Working on a grand scale, we aim to close the gap between people and nature.

Focusing on Scotland’s spectacular Caledonian forest, they foster biodiversity and encourage natural processes essential to life. From the iconic red squirrel to the elusive lynx, they are working to bring more life back to our landscapes.

Rewilding is a shared journey. Together with communities, they are restoring Scotland’s natural and cultural heritage while supporting local livelihoods.

They are bold

They are an ambitious charity with a critical purpose. For them, being bold means thinking about landscape restoration on a grand scale, embracing innovative rewilding methods and challenging the status quo. This approach ensures that every step they take is a stride toward a revitalised, thriving natural landscape.

They are collaborative

Their approach, deeply rooted in community and collaboration, involves working closely with local communities, conservation groups, landowners, and volunteers. Finding common ground and working together they initiate positive solutions to the twin climate and biodiversity crises.

They are pragmatic

They embrace pragmatic and sustainable solutions in everything we do. We are always mindful of our duty to our supporters, our volunteers, our staff and above all to Scotland’s wild forest. By adopting practical solutions, we safeguard our efforts and ensure a resilient future for our initiatives.