BRITAIN'S largest rewilding initiative has been earmarked by the UK and Scottish governments as a globally-prestigious showcase project to help nature, people and climate.
Led by Trees for Life, Affric Highlands is a community-focused 30-year plan to create a vast nature recovery area of over half a million acres stretching from Loch Ness to Scotland’s west coast. It will restore woodland, peatland and riverside habitats to help save native species from extinction, boost biodiversity, and sustain new nature-based jobs and support re-peopling.
The two governments have now recommended Affric Highlands for UN World Restoration Flagship status – joining a prestigious roster of global projects - with a final shortlist of 10 to be announced later this month.
Steve Micklewright, chief executive of Trees for Life, said: “The huge environmental challenges of the coming decade need to be met with huge ambition. Affric Highlands is about scaling up ecological restoration, working collaboratively, and seeing nature as a key ally in tackling climate breakdown. We want to show how nature, local communities and livelihoods can help each other thrive.
“We’re delighted that both the Scottish and UK governments have given Affric Highlands their endorsement for flagship status. It’s increasingly clear that rewilding offers hope for nature, climate and people.”
Affric Highlands brings together a huge range of local partners to create a bold new vision for the area. Its ambition is to demonstrate how the return of nature and recovery of landscapes can strengthen existing livelihoods and create new opportunities.
Stephanie Kiel, Affric Highlands team leader, said: “We are working closely with a range of different landowners and land managers to develop and link-up nature restoration projects across the Affric Highlands area, which encompasses Glens Affric, Cannich, Moriston and Shiel.
"People are a central part of this vision, and more resilient ecosystems will support a greater diversity of job opportunities that can help sustain rural communities.
“We are providing the expertise to help restore native woodlands, including through natural regeneration, while returning much-needed trees to the banks of upland streams and rivers to provide vital shade, nutrients and shelter for Scotland’s struggling Atlantic salmon.”
Golden eagles, red squirrels, red grouse, short-eared owls, mountain hares, trout, ospreys and otters will benefit from the improved and better-connected wild habitats. The Affric Highlands emblem is the Scottish wildcat, and there will be efforts to help save this species from extinction.
Competition for UN World Restoration Flagship status is extremely strong, with more than 400 nominations expected from around the world.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here