Fundraising appeal launched for rainforest restoration in Rusland Valley

Friends of the Lake District has launched an urgent fundraising appeal to restore rare habitats in the Rusland Valley, Cumbria.

Donations made during Earth Raise Week from 22nd to 29th April will be doubled, thanks to the Big Give's matching campaign.

Temperate rainforests, known for their specific conditions of high rainfall, mild temperatures, and humidity, once covered 20% of the UK.

They now constitute less than 1%, hosting a unique range of mosses, lichens, fungi, and ferns.

Friends of the Lake District manages two woods in Rusland Valley, Resp Haw and Bull Coppice, where assessments have revealed rainforest indicators.

The charity plans to expand its stewardship to 72 acres, creating an opportunity to revive the rainforest landscape.

Friends of the Lake District’s land manager, Jan Darrall, said: "The thought of a rainforest in Cumbria enchants and inspires people. We have a real opportunity to restore these ancient landscapes and protect rare wildlife. Let’s save them while we still can."

Marion Brown, a resident and volunteer, commented: "You could spend an entire day in the Friends of the Lake District woods and still not find all the amazing rainforest species hiding in there. Every tree, rocky outcrop and dry-stone wall is like a mini city, but like much of the remaining small fragments of temperate rainforest in the UK, these woods are under threat from non-native species, disease and climate change.

"It’s been very special to be part of the rainforest restoration work undertaken over the past two years and I’m delighted that more woodlands in the valley will come under the care of Friends of the Lake District. It means more temperate rainforest can be put on the path to a long and healthy future."

The rainforest appeal is part of Earth Raise, the UK’s largest environmental match-funding initiative, ensuring public donations during the campaign period are matched pound for pound.