Many of you will know that one of the charities that OBOD supports is Trees For Life. Trees for Life are replanting the Ancient Caledonian Forest in the Scottish Highlands. For 2014, our 50th Anniversary Year, we funded the planting of a Golden Anniversary Grove in Scotland – near Loch Ness, in the beautiful Glen Moriston. Over 3,000 species of wildlife exist there, along with remnants of ancient Caledonian Forest. By January 2020 members and the Order had contributed to the planting of over 1,500 trees. You can contribute for as little as £6, which pays for the planting and continuing care of one tree. Species planted include bird cherry, pine, birch, juniper, alder, aspen, willow, dwarf birch and hazel – just click here to see more!
Last year the charity opened their Dundreggan Rewilding Rewilding Centre, a beautiful place that connects visitors to the natural and cultural heritage of the area and where visitors can see how this stunning landscaped is being positively transformed by rewilding.
We share below an update about the Centre’s first year from Steve Micklewright CEO:
I am writing to update you on our first year of operations at the Dundreggan Rewilding Centre and express our thanks for your generous support. As we reflect on our inaugural year, we are delighted to share with you the remarkable strides we have made, thanks in no small part to your contribution.
One year since opening, Dundreggan welcomed approximately 29,000 visitors to the wonders of rewilding and the natural beauty of the Scottish Highlands. Our facilities hosted over 70 groups, ranging from educational institutions and corporate entities to special interest groups focused on conservation, entomology, land use, and health and wellbeing.
An Spiris, our guest residence, has seen guests from 33 different countries, connecting a global audience to rewilding. The Centre has also become a hub for community and learning, offering a wide array of events and activities. From bushcraft and woodcraft workshops to engaging talks by naturalists like Nick Baker and an audio-visual performance of Jenny Sturgeon’s The Living Mountain. We have strived to create experiences that are educational, engaging, and enjoyable for all ages and abilities.
Our impact on the local community is shown in the creation of approximately 28 jobs, encompassing full-time, part-time, and seasonal positions. Furthermore, our partnerships with local suppliers such as Glen Lyon Coffee, Stewart Tower Dairy, and Letterfinlay Foods and Farmstead Fayre supports local businesses.
A particularly notable highlight was hosting Chris Packham, Megan McCubbin, and their team for the live broadcast of “8 Out of 10 Bats” in October 2023. This event not only brought Dundreggan into the homes of viewers across the nation but also emphasised our role in rewilding Scotland.
Dundreggan was honoured with the British Guild of Travel Writers International Tourism Award for the Best Tourism Project in the UK in November. This award is a testament to the vision and hard work of everyone involved with the centre, and it further highlights the importance of our mission.
Looking ahead, we are excited to announce that the Centre has launched a variety of activities and events for the year that will bring people and nature closer together and introduce our rewilding efforts to an even broader audience.
Your support made all of this happen. We are deeply thankful for your belief in our mission and your commitment to ensuring the success of Trees for Life and the Dundreggan Rewilding Centre.