In a powerful display of community-driven conservation, volunteers across England have planted thousands of trees to help restore the ancient Celtic rainforest in Devon.

Once a lush and thriving ecosystem, this rare temperate rainforest has been severely diminished over centuries due to deforestation, agriculture, and climate change. Now, thanks to a growing rewilding movement, efforts are underway to bring this unique habitat back to life, with volunteers playing a crucial role in the restoration process.

The project focuses on reintroducing native tree species such as oak, birch, and hazel, which are essential for supporting the rich biodiversity of the Celtic rainforest.

These forests are home to rare lichens, mosses, and wildlife species found nowhere else in the UK. Conservationists hope that restoring the rainforest will not only revive these delicate ecosystems but also help combat climate change by increasing carbon capture.

The initiative has been praised for its grassroots approach, uniting communities in a shared mission to preserve one of the country’s most treasured natural landscapes for future generations.

https://e360.yale.edu/digest/devon-celtic-rainforest