Devon one step closer to new temperate rainforest
17,000 trees have been planted in an ambitious restoration effort
Devon Wildlife Trust has announced the successful completion of the first step in creating a new temperate rainforest near Totnes.
This marks a significant milestone for the conservation charity, which took ownership of 30 hectares of sheep-grazed land at Bowden Pillars in 2023 with the goal of establishing a new temperate rainforest there.
The first crucial task involved planting 17,000 native trees and shrubs across one third of the site.
These trees and shrubs will mature over decades, creating the essential ingredients for a thriving temperate rainforest ecosystem.
Bowden Pillars was purchased with support from insurance giant Aviva as part of their initiative with The Wildlife Trusts to establish temperate rainforests across the UK.
Historically, these ecosystems covered 20% of Britain, predominantly in the western regions such as Devon and Cornwall, but only 1% remain today.
The planting effort has been monumental, involving Devon Wildlife Trust staff, local volunteers, and community participants from Totnes and neighbouring areas.
The tree species, including oak, birch, and holly, were sourced locally, with many nurtured by Devon Wildlife Trust’s partners Moor Trees and Tamar Trees.
Protected by compostable tree guards, the young trees have been planted strategically to create a landscape interspersed with open glades and wildflower meadows.
Claire Inglis, the Trust's Nature Reserve Officer who led the project, expressed pride in the community's dedication, stating: “I’m so proud of what we and local people have created here at Bowden Pillars... this past winter has been one of the wettest on record and yet our volunteers have still turned up regularly."
The long-term vision for the site is to become a habitat for wildlife including stoats, pine martens, rare birds, and unique fungi like hazel gloves.
Currently, Bowden Pillars is accessible via public footpaths and permissive paths; deer fencing is in place to protect young trees, with plans for future expanded access as the woodland matures.