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.

Over the past year, volunteers have been trained by Plantlife to do a Rapid Rainforest Assessment. This assesses woodland current condition and identifies how to improve biodiversity and resilience. 

The finds have been encouraging and make us even more determined to help save this rare habitat that less than 1% of the planet landmass can support.

Our rare temperate rainforest is under threat from non-native species, tree disease, climate change and pollution. We are determined to do our part in helping it thrive.

Our volunteers have been out removing non-native beech saplings which shade out key rainforest moss and lichen species. We have also been thinning holly to increase light levels and removing where it surrounds the trunks of older trees.

It was wonderful to watch our native trees given space to breathe and grow. This volunteer work supports the grant-based project activities of tree haloing and the creation of exclosures. 

Exclosures help tree seedlings to survive browsing by deer, tree haloing lets in more light to help our rainforest lichens thrive, and to help our woodlands regenerate for centuries to come.

We're also working in many of the other woods in the Rusland Valley with the support of the landowners. We're a friendly bunch and have a lot of fun when out and about.

We always welcome new volunteers and this is a real opportunity to make a significant contribution to nature recovery. If you want to get involved email us at RuslandLSG@cumbriawildlifetrust.org