MAKI CPG meeting KRA Additional Info
Argyll and Bute Council · 28 August 2024
Back to Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Community Planning Group — 28 August 2024 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
Page 1
kintyrerainforestalliance@yahoo.com Kintyre Rainforest Alliance (KRA) - additional information Scotland’s Temperate Rainforest is one of the rarest habitats in the world, containing some of the worlds most vulnerable species of lichen, oceanic bryophytes, and fungi, recognised as areas of global importance. Restoration of the Argyll rainforests including those of Kintyre can contribute to Scotland meeting its biodiversity targets as well as contributing to achieving the 2045 Net-Zero targets by sequestering atmospheric carbon dioxide in long standing natural woodlands. For centuries, Temperate Rainforest covered our Kintyre peninsula. This was connected to a massive forest stretching across the Western edge of Britain and Ireland. Rich in trees covered in rare mosses, lichen and ferns, including some of the world's rarest species, these forests still exist in small fragmented pockets in Kintyre. It is our ambition to work with our local community to restore and regenerate these rainforest fragments to a healthy, vibrant woodland, connected to our northern neighbour Knapdale. This will create a rainforest corridor along the East Coast of Kintyre, allowing native wildlife to travel freely, breed and flourish. In addition we will restore and regenerate the smaller fragments that exist in the south and west of Kintyre where hidden fragments of ancient woodlands still cling on to steep inaccessible gullies. Working with other agencies and partners, with the support of our community, local landowners, farmers and crofters, advocates and politicians both within and outside Kintyre, we will ensure that our Kintyre rainforests will be bigger, and in better condition, able to naturally expand and connect between fragments, have more resilience and diversity of trees, and other native flora and fauna protecting the new growth forests as they develop. Ensuring that our rare species of mosses, liverworts and lichens have room to grown and expand. We will create new jobs for the local community, bringing in new skills, training a new generation of local people in rainforest management and creating opportunities for our children and young people to live productive and engaging lives on the Kintyre Peninsula. Kintyre Rainforest Alliance (KRA) will act as the environmental stewards of our local rainforests, driving restoration, regeneration and long term protection of the Kintyre rainforests. We will do this by championing • the importance of Kintyre rainforests in the fight against climate change. • The importance of Kintyre rainforests for global, national, and local biodiversity. • The importance of Kintyre rainforests as a key ecosystem in the Kintyre Biosphere • The importance of Kintyre rainforests for the physical and mental health and wellbeing of the local population. • The importance of Kintyre rainforests for tourism, art and culture in Kintyre. We will achieve this by • Providing and delivering education to local residents and visitors on the existence, importance and complexity of Kintyre’s rainforests, and the vulnerable eco-system that sustains them. • Collaborating with individuals and organisations that share our vision and can help us to deliver our objectives.
Page 2
kintyrerainforestalliance@yahoo.com • Directly engaging with all persons, organisations or activities that will promote and protect Kintyre’s rainforests and the eco-systems that sustain them. • Supporting the creation of forest based jobs, apprenticeships and on going training and research that provide positive benefits to the long term sustainability of the Kintyre rainforests. • Engaging with ethical organisations and individuals whose aims align with ours and can support KRA with funding or support to deliver key milestones in the regeneration, protection and promotion of Kintyre rainforests Our Organisational Structure KRA is working as a project aligned with South Kintyre Development Trust (SKDT). Current Funding applications KRA has a funding bid for Nature Restoration Fund with Nature Scotland. Following a successful Expression of Interest (EOI), KRA has been invited to and has submitted a development stage bid, which will allow mapping and scoping of the landscape scale bid. The geographical area for this landscape scale project is from Carradale Bay to Bunlarie Woods, Saddell. This is what is referred to in the presentation as the East Kintrye Biosphere. A successful project here will pave the way for further projects to be developed elsewhere in Kintyre. KRA also has a smaller bid in through the Neighbourhood Ecosystem Fund, which will allow for training and development, education, community events and numerous other aligned activities. If successful, these can start as soon as funding is allocated. Proposals for activities aligned to the East Kintyre Biosphere are outlined in the table below.( * ) Useful Links on Scotlands Rainforests Alliance for Scotland’s Rainforests https://savingscotlandsrainforest.org.uk ACT - Argyll and the Isles Coast and Countryside Trust https://www.act-now.org.uk The Woodland Trust - Saving Scotland’s rainforest https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/about-us/where-we-work/scotland/saving-scotlands- rainforest/ The Scottish Governments strategic approach to restoring and expanding Scotland’s rainforest https://www.forestry.gov.scot/publications/1586-the-scottish-government-s-strategic- approach-to-restoring-and-expanding-scotland-s-rainforest/viewdocument/1586 The State of Nature Report 2023 https://stateofnature.org.uk/countries/scotland/ Kintyre Rainforest Alliance Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556679622357
Page 3
kintyrerainforestalliance@yahoo.com Email Sarah and Jenn at : kintyrerainforestalliance@yahoo.com Plantlife Scotland https://www.plantlife.org.uk/our-work/government-action-for-temperate-rainforests/ YouTube Videos
Page 4
kintyrerainforestalliance@yahoo.com * NEF Bid activity proposal What How Timeline Knowledge Building and Exchange Site visits to similar projects or people/organisations from which we can learn. Continuous as per opportunities, but targeted visits in first two months to Appin, Craignish and Milport Encouraging engagement and learning Hosting wide-ranging open information sessions for schools and groups Developing learning resources, including local identification guides and investment in Plantlife guides. Discover Research Vessel coming to Carradale to deliver STEM based education to primary school Delivery of tailored STEM sessions on rainforests, salt marsh and sea grass to Kintyre schools. Community Art Exhibition incorporating photography, painting, mixed media works Rainforest Soundscape Experiences in Carradale, Torrisdale and Campbeltown by local sound artist. Throughout the 12 months, beginning in Carradale, but extending to Torrisdale, Peninver and Campbeltown. ASAP, with continuous updates as required. As weather permits Within 12 months as per schools’ timetables. Launch ASAP with exhibition of completed works towards the end of 12 months. NEF funds will not in any way directly fund the individuals involved, but will assist with promotion.
Page 5
kintyrerainforestalliance@yahoo.com Email Sarah and Jenn at : kintyrerainforestalliance@yahoo.com Education and Capacity Building Tree Identification Sessions tailored to all ages and held in urban woods and local rainforests. Rainforest and Coastal survey training for volunteers: · Lichen, Bryophyte and Fern identification · Seabed Survey Training · Salt Marsh Identification, Assessment and Survey Training · Bug Life Training and ID sessions for River Sampling · Rapid Rainforest Assessment Training Beginner sessions at start and continuing through to intermediate training.