Photo credit: Thousand Year Trust
Partner Organisation: Thousand Year Trust
Location: Cornwall, UK
When we think of rainforests, the Amazon and the Congo often first come to mind—vast, tropical ecosystems famous for teeming with wildlife.
However, the UK is home to its own, lesser known rainforests: temperate rainforests. Covered in mosses, liverworts and fungi, these habitats are usually found in wet and mild climates, such as the west coast of the UK.
Fungi and mosses at Cabilla’s temperate rainforest. Photo credit: Thousand Year Trust.
Our newest Alliance Partner, the Thousand Year Trust, wants to show the world how often-overlooked UK temperate rainforests are unsung superheroes in improving climate, biodiversity and human health.
Rewilding often focuses on how humans can heal nature—and yet the Thousand Year Trust is testament to the power of nature to heal us.
Founder Merlin served a soldier in the British Army and suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after three tours of Afghanistan. He and his family found healing in the 80 acres of temperate rainforest forest on their farm Cabilla in Cornwall, England.
They are rewilding the rest of Cabilla through natural forest regeneration, planting and reestablishing some 100,000 trees and are planning to farm free-range Highland cattle, Cornish black pigs and local ponies once the trees have grown a little. The farm is also home to a pair of beavers.
Sigourney Beaver and her new-born kit. Photo credit: Thousand Year Trust.
Beyond the boundaries of their farm, the Thousand Year Trust now aims to collaborate with landowners to triple the area of temperate rainforest growing in the UK over the next 30 years.
The Thousand Year Trust has plans for Europe’s first Atlantic temperate rainforest research station, partnering with six British universities to study temperate rainforest restoration and the associated health, biodiversity and climate benefits.
When we breathe in forest air, we absorb not only clean oxygen but also trace amounts of beneficial volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs, such as terpenes and phytoncides, which improve kidney function, strengthen the immune system and reduce stress.
Studies have shown that exposure to forest air can increase the activity and count of natural T killer cells, which play a key role in fighting infections and cancer cells. No surprises, therefore, that the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku (forest bathing) is increasingly prescribed by doctors in Japan.
The goal of the research station is to make these habitats a priority for government ministers and business.
The design for Europe’s first Atlantic Temperate Rainforest Research Station includes a bunkhouse for scientists and a laboratory for analysis. Photo credit: Thousand Year Trust.
To learn more about the story behind the Thousand Year Trust, look out for Merlin’s ‘Our Oaken Bones’ which will be released March 20th 2025.