The week before last, I had the fantastic opportunity to attend the Temperate Rainforest Conference in the south of England with Manx Wildlife Trust, hosted by The Wildlife Trusts. Over the course of the trip, we visited a range of inspiring restoration and conservation sites in Devon, Cornwall and Somerset, learning about the challenges and opportunities involved in restoring one of Britain's rarest habitats. 

Temperate rainforests are ecologically rich and dynamic ecosystems found along the western coasts of the British Isles. Although they cover only around 1% of the world's land surface, they are biodiversity hotspots that support a remarkable range of plants, fungi, lichens and wildlife. These forests thrive in cool, wet and humid environments, where mild temperatures and high rainfall create ideal conditions for species that cannot survive elsewhere.

One of the key themes discussed throughout the conference was the scale of ambition behind rainforest restoration across the UK. Collectively, The Wildlife Trusts are at the beginning of a 100-year landscape restoration programme, with plans to restore or create 1,755 hectares of temperate rainforest. By 2050, these projects are expected to sequester an estimated 222,000 tonnes of carbon, rising to 440,000 tonnes by 2060.

Our first stop was Cabilla Cornwall, where we were welcomed by the Thousand Year Trust, a charity dedicated to restoring and protecting temperate rainforest. Walking through the woodland was a real highlight of the trip. Surrounded by ancient oak trees draped in mosses and lichens, it was easy to appreciate why these habitats are considered some of Britain's richest ecosystems. The visit offered a glimpse of what healthy temperate rainforest can look like and highlighted the importance of protecting the fragments that remain.

Later that day, we travelled to West Muchlarnick Farm, where Cornwall Wildlife Trust is restoring internationally important temperate rainforest habitat. The 150-acre site is currently made up largely of grassland, but small fragments of ancient rainforest remain along green corridors. Here we spent time studying lichens and learning how these remnant habitats can help guide future restoration efforts. It was fascinating to hear about the site's long-term vision, the challenges already encountered and the practical solutions being developed as restoration progresses. As a site still at the beginning of its journey, it provided an interesting contrast to some of the more established projects we visited later in the trip.

On the second day, we visited Bowden Pillars, a Devon Wildlife Trust project and one of the first sites to receive funding through the Temperate Rainforest Project. Restoration planning and tree planting have been underway for 3 years, supported by dedicated volunteers from the local community. Hundreds of native trees have already been planted, laying the foundations for what over time will develop into a temperate rainforest.

What impressed me most at Bowden Pillars was the strong sense of community involvement. The project is not only focused on restoring habitat for wildlife, improving soil health and storing carbon, but also on engaging local people in the process. We had the opportunity to work alongside Devon Wildlife Trust volunteers and representatives from Aviva, carrying out maintenance on trees planted during the previous winter. It was rewarding to contribute, even in a small way, to a project that demonstrates how communities can play an active role in landscape-scale nature recovery.

Our final visit was to a newly acquired site being developed through a partnership between Exmoor National Park and Somerset Wildlife Trust. While restoration work has not yet begun, the site has significant potential for future rainforest creation. Standing on the hillside and looking across the landscape, it was easy to see the possibilities. Hearing about the long-term vision for the site highlighted both the ambition and patience required for successful rainforest restoration, where meaningful change is often measured in decades rather than years.

One of the most valuable aspects of the conference was the opportunity to see projects at very different stages of development. From ancient woodland remnants and established restoration schemes to sites where work is only just beginning, each visit provided a different perspective on the challenges and opportunities involved in restoring temperate rainforest. A recurring message throughout the trip was the importance of collaboration between conservation organisations, landowners, volunteers, local communities and funders to achieve lasting change.

The trip was an excellent opportunity to learn from those leading temperate rainforest restoration efforts across the UK and to consider how these approaches compare with work taking place on the Isle of Man. Seeing these projects firsthand reinforced both the challenges and the immense potential of rainforest recovery. I left feeling inspired by the passion, knowledge and long-term commitment being invested in securing the future of these globally rare habitats.