The term rainforest tends to throw up images of The Amazon in South America or the Congo in Africa.
Not every rainforest is tropical, and Cumbria has a temperate rainforest that needs help
But although different from those tropical jungles, there have always been temperate rainforests across Western Europe.
The UK’s temperate rainforests once covered around 20% of the UK, yet today it covers less than 1%.
These internationally rare habitats thrive only in very specific conditions of high rainfall, humidity and mild temperatures.
So not surprisingly the remaining examples cling to the West Coast of Britain, with some in the Lake District.
Their rich, sheltered microclimates are home to mosses, lichens, fungi and ferns, with some species rarely found outside remaining fragments of Cumbrian woodland.
Help save one of Cumbria’s rarest habitats
Now, environmental charity Friends of the Lake District is calling on the public to help save one of Cumbria’s rarest habitats as it launches an urgent fundraising appeal to restore temperate rainforest in the Rusland Valley.
Donations made between 22–29 April through the Big Give’s Earth Raise campaign will be doubled, making supporters’ contributions go twice as far.
Friends of the Lake District currently looks after two neighbouring woods in the Rusland Valley – Resp Haw and Bull Coppice.
Assessments carried out in conjunction with the charity Plantlife revealed several rainforest indicators within these woods and work has since been carried out – such as species monitoring, veteran tree care, glade creation and invasive-species control – to improve these habitats.
The charity is about to be entrusted with additional adjoining woodland, expanding its stewardship to 72 acres—creating a rare and time-sensitive opportunity to revive a thriving 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.
Every tree is like a mini city
Marion Brown, who lives in the Rusland Valley and who volunteers for Friends of the Lake District, added:
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.
For a week your donations will be matched
The rainforest appeal is part of Earth Raise, the UK’s largest environmental match-funding initiative. From 12pm on 22 April to 12pm on 29 April, public donations made through the Big Give platform will be matched pound for pound. More information and a link to the Earth Raise donation platform can be found at www.friendsofthelakedistrict.org.uk/rainforest-appeal
Friends of Bylines Network
There has never been a greater need for grassroots journalism that investigates the stories that really matter, holds power to account and champions the voices of everyday citizens. We are proudly powered by volunteers but what we do isn’t free.
STAND WITH US for independent, citizen-led journalism that makes democracy stronger, and you will even get some exclusive benefits.
