Welcome to the Rainforest Recovery Blog!
Written by: Alejandra Hart
Temperate rainforest in Dartmoor. Credit: Bull & Wolf
The South West of England is home to Temperate Rainforest, a globally rare and vital habitat, full of life, history and resilience. This habitat is a place of a variety of native species and ancient trees covered in internationally rare lichens and bryophytes, and valleys of ferns. Once covering 75% of Devon and Cornwall, these rainforests now cover just 8% of the landscape in this region.
The UK is a rainforest nation. Yet we have lost 90% of the temperate rainforests we once had. Despite this, our cultural and ecological heritage remains rooted in these habitats, which provide shelter and food for some of our most threatened species.
We are proud to introduce the Rainforest Recovery blog, your behind-the-scenes pass to an ambitious project funded by the Species Survival Fund (SSF). Over the coming months, we will be sharing the stories of restoring, protecting and reimagining these forgotten temperate rainforests. We hope to inspire you to join us in creating a landscape that is bigger, better connected, and more resilient for nature and people alike.
Lichen hanging off oak trees. Credit: Charles Sainsbury Plaice
The Species Survival Fund is a UK government initiative aimed at reversing the decline of species and habitats. Backed by Defra and the National Lottery Heritage Fund, it supports projects that can deliver measurable improvements to biodiversity at a landscape scale. This SSF project, delivered in partnership with Plantlife and other partners in the northwest of England, is part of a wider mission to manage and restore nearly 580 hectares in temperate rainforest zones, including 11 key sites across South West England.
Plantlife is working in partnership with Cumbria Woodlands, Cumbria Connect, Cumbria Wildlife Trust and Rusland Local Support Group to survey, restore and monitor existing fragments of temperate rainforest habitat across the northwest of England.
Plantlife’s Rapid Rainforest Assessment has been used to identify key areas of interest and opportunities for restoration work based on the management issues identified. Where possible this restoration work is also informed by lichen and bryophyte records, to encourage an evidence-based approach that will benefit the species in question. Plantlife and Cumbria Woodlands have also teamed up to spread knowledge and awareness to landowners, volunteers and woodland managers across Cumbria, through online and in-person training, and engagement events!
Volunteers from Plymouth University during one of our tree planting days! Credit: Alejandra Hart
Our work builds on years of groundwork in East Dartmoor Landscape Recovery Area, where the rainforest that remains forms the “backbone” of the ecosystem. With the dedication and expertise of the Woodland Trust’s South West Team, our plan is to reconnect and restore this habitat whilst raising awareness and engaging the local community.
This year, the Rainforest Recovery Project will focus on:
Trialling innovative woodland creation methods, including techniques like drone seeding to help reconnect fragmented rainforest.
Implementing evidence-based woodland management to restore and protect existing fragments of temperate rainforest.
Engaging and supporting local landowners through grants and guidance to encourage private restoration projects within the rainforest zone.
Providing training and volunteering opportunities, from tree planting to lichen identification and habitat surveying using Plantlife’s Rapid Rainforest Assessment.
Hosting rainforest exhibitions, guided walks and events to inspire local communities and raise awareness about the threats to our temperate rainforests.
Supporting natural flood management to restore rainforest humidity and climate stability.
Angie, from Plantlife, providing training on lichen identification during one of our contractor training days. Credit: Alejandra Hart
In the months ahead, we will be sharing stories from the ground, updates from the team, and opportunities for you to get involved. Whether you are a nature lover, a landowner, or an aspiring volunteer, there will be a place for you in the rainforest recovery journey! Follow along for blogs, events, and ways to get involved.
Join us for World Rainforest Day on 22nd June 2025! Plantlife and the Woodland Trust are hosting events in the southwest and northwest of England, for you to see first-hand the magic of our temperate rainforests! Keep an eye out on Plantlife’s website for more details: https://www.plantlife.org.uk/
Participants of our Lichen ID training. Credit: Danielle Semple
The #Species Survival Fund Rainforest Restoration Project is being led by the Woodland Trust in partnership with Plantlife and other organisations. This project is funded by the Government's Species Survival Fund. The fund was developed by Defra and its Arm's-Length Bodies. It is being delivered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with Natural England and the Environment Agency.