Support soars for Scotland rewilding book initiative

Hundreds of people are backing the creation of a landmark book showcasing the benefits of a wilder Scotland.

Trees for Life’s crowdfunding appeal to raise at least £20,000 has passed the 80 per cent mark in its first two weeks, with the conservation charity “thrilled” by a wave of positive responses to the initiative.

The Highlands-based organisation has until 23 July to raise the rest of the funds needed to ensure publication of Scotland: A Rewilding Journey – a beautiful hardcover book also backed by Reforesting Scotland, Rewilding Britain, The Borders Forest Trust, and Woodland Trust Scotland.

Steve Micklewright, Trees for Life’s Chief Executive, said: “We need as many people as possible to show their support and join in the movement for rewilding by making this groundbreaking book happen.

“Scotland: A Rewilding Journey will be a rallying call for a wilder Scotland – where forests full of life are regenerating, rivers lined with alder and willow run freely, damaged peatlands are revitalized, and our oceans support the great whales. It’s all about inspiring an appreciation of the huge benefits a wilder Scotland would bring to people and wildlife.”

The book will showcase stunning photography by the team at SCOTLAND: The Big Picture, a non-profit social enterprisethat includes many of the country’s top nature and conservation photographers. They have spent three years capturing the beauty and drama of Scotland’s landscape and its wild inhabitants – including golden eagles, beavers, ospreys, red squirrels and pine martens.

It is being written and edited by some of Scotland’s most prominent conservationists, including John Lister-Kaye and Duncan Halley.

Comments from supporters made online and on social media include:

* “Scotland is a beautiful country – the Highlands in particular – and everything should be done to protect and enhance the landscape and wildlife already there, and in the future.”

* “Hopefully this project will help see the rewilding adventure continue. I look forward to being a part of that adventure!”

* “Thank you all for the hard work you are doing in the Highlands and in spreading the message about the value of our wild spaces.”

* “So many species within the UK have been extirpated or reduced to an endangered existence, rewilding is not just desirable – it is absolutely essential.”

* “This is a great cause. I hope my donation contributes a little bit towards making a huge difference.”

Rewards for supporters include a stay in a wilderness cabin, wildlife photography workshops, fine art posters and signed editions of the new book. For details, see crowdfunder.co.uk/rewilding.

Award-winning Trees for Life aims to restore the ancient Caledonian Forest and its unique wildlife to a vast area of the Scottish Highlands, including at the charity’s 10,000-acre Dundreggan Estate in Glenmoriston. It has been pioneering rewilding for more than 25 years. See www.treesforlife.org.uk.

Trees for Life will use any surplus funds raised by the appeal to fund other activities that help restore Scotland’s wild forests.

Scotland: A Rewilding Journey will be published this autumn by SCOTLAND: The Big Picture (www.scotlandbigpicture.com), which promotes the benefits of a wilder Scotland for people and wildlife through stunning visual media.

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