A dedicated team of conservationists has formed to launch a skills initiative aimed at empowering local communities to protect and restore Scotland’s west coast rainforest.
The project, Our Rainforest Futures, is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and seeks to equip people living in the rainforest zone with the expertise needed to pursue careers in its conservation.
Diane Leishman, project development manager, highlighted the critical importance of the programme: “There is an enormous challenge ahead in safeguarding and expanding Scotland’s rainforest. We want to enable local people to seize emerging employment opportunities by providing them with the necessary training.
“Our vision is to build a movement of custodians ready to protect Scotland’s rainforest.”
The initiative is led by The Woodland Trust under the Alliance for Scotland’s Rainforest, with partners including Argyll and the Isles Coast and Countryside Trust, Community Woodlands Association, Plantlife Scotland, RSPB Scotland, Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), and the Scottish Rainforest Education Centre.
Initial training efforts will focus on tackling invasive species like rhododendron and conducting biological surveys to prioritise conservation areas. Skills in demand include drone piloting, species identification, biodiversity monitoring, and ecological surveying.
Scotland’s rainforest, stretching along the west coast from Sutherland to Argyll and Bute, is one of the world’s most biodiverse ecosystems. High rainfall and mild temperatures nurture a habitat that supports rare mosses, liverworts, and lichens. However, only 30,000 hectares remain—just two per cent of the nation’s woodland cover—making its preservation a pressing priority.
Helen Mason, engagement and communications officer, emphasised the community’s central role in the rainforest’s future: “The people who live and work within the rainforest zone are vital to its survival. Our Rainforest Futures aims to inspire and equip them with the skills and knowledge to become its guardians.
“The project will also promote awareness, create job opportunities, and provide economic, social, and wellbeing benefits for local communities.”
In 2025, the team will pilot activities and host workshops to explore rainforest species, exchange ideas, and participate in hands-on restoration efforts. These sessions will offer opportunities for locals to engage directly with the conservation mission while building the expertise necessary to sustain the rainforest for future generations.
The team say that the initiative marks a crucial step towards protecting one of Scotland’s most fragile natural treasures.
