Trees for Life began in 1981 as a direct result of the inspiration and example of Richard S. Barbe Baker, the 'Man of the Trees', as a local solution to the global problem of deforestation. It forms part of the Findhorn Bay Community, an intentional community comprising various organisations and many individuals drawn together by a common vision of creating a positive future for humanity and the planet.

The main focus of our work is the major project to assist the natural regeneration of the Caledonian Forest which once covered a large area of the Highlands of Scotland as extensive stands of majestic Scots pines, interspersed with birch, rowan, juniper and aspen trees.

Now reduced to just 1% of its former extent, the forest is still declining because deer and sheep overgraze the seedling trees, so that as the mature trees die they are not replaced. However, with protection from overgrazing, the seedlings grow successfully, thereby allowing a new generation of trees to reach maturity.

Practical work on our project began in 1989 and since then we have planted over half a million native trees and have protected numerous areas with fenced exclosures so that natural regeneration of the trees can take place in the absence of overgrazing by the deer. Our long term goal is to restore the Caledonian Forest to an area of 600 square miles in the north-central Highlands, and to reintroduce the missing species of wildlife, such as the beaver, wild boar, brown bear, moose, lynx and wolf which formerly lived in the forest.

Our work also has an international dimension: we have been publishing the Trees for Life calendars and diaries since 1988, and our Restoring the Earth project promotes the restoration of the world's degraded ecosystems as the most important task facing humanity in the coming decades.

Trees for Life Staff

• Alan Watson Featherstone Executive Director
• Lisa Mead Chief Executive
• Allan Common Dundreggan Site Manager
• Geoff Hewitt General Manager
• Janet Barcis Accounts Administrator
• Jill Hodge Dundreggan Project Coordinator
• Kate Reid Executive Administrator
• Mick Drury Field Projects Coordinator
• Colin Hall Volunteer Coordinator
• Rosie Black Sales Administrator, Local Volunteer Development Coordinator
• Steve Morris Operations Manager
• Abbey Goff Nursery Assistant

Trees for Life Directors

Kenny Taylor, Bill Ritchie, Geoff Sharpe, Diane Gilbert, Judith Bone, Alan Watson Featherstone, and Sandy Payne.

 

Return to About Us