A new project by Manx Wildlife Trust will help vital woodlands recover and create the biggest nature reserve on the British island.
The huge area covers 1,124acres, with 750acres classified as temperate rainforest, which have largely disappeared from the British Isles over recent centuries, covering less than 1% of the region’s total landmass.
Led by Manx Wildlife Trust in partnership with Aviva, local communities in Ramsey – at the north of the Isle of Man – will also be closely involved in the project. Among other things, residents stand to benefit from increased access to nature, educational and career opportunities. Meanwhile, environmental improvements will include the creation of habitat for native species and a significant rise in air quality.
‘We are thrilled to start this exciting new chapter to restore the Isle of Man’s natural heritage. The recovery of Glen Auldyn’s temperate rainforest will not only create an invaluable habitat for wildlife but will also provide multiple benefits for local communities, including reduced flood risk and greater access to beautiful woodland,’ said David Bellamy, Head of Conservation and Land at Manx Wildlife Trust. ‘This will also be an important contribution to our Island’s international obligation to protect and manage 30% of our land for nature by 2030.’
The project will rely on taking seeds from existing rainforest areas, many of which are in steep gorges close to Glen Auldyn and introduced to a tree nursery at Milntown. Once matured, these will then be planted in locations that were previously home to similar flora and frequently encounter damp weather systems. The facility was already used in the restoration of rainforests at Creg y Cowin and Glion Darragh. Manx oak, downy birch, mountain ash, holly, alder, willows and hazel will all feature.
‘This is a landmark moment for MWT and the Isle of Man. Glen Auldyn is over seven times the size of our largest nature reserve and its size provides a fantastic opportunity for landscape scale nature conservation and create a model for how the Isle of Man uplands could be managed in future,’ said Leigh Morris, CEO of Manx Wildlife Trust. ‘It’s an inspiring example of how corporate businesses can benefit wildlife and increase carbon sequestration to mitigate climate change. I am in no doubt that our whole-nation Biosphere could be world leading in this area.’
Image: Graham Makepeace-Warn
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