The latest round of funding, part of the Drax Foundation’s 2024 H2 donations, saw £25,341 given to help ACT build upon their long-term projects and to recruit a co-ordinator to support activities at ACT’s Rainforest Hub in Lochgilphead, 40 miles from Drax’s Cruachan pumped hydro storage facility.

The Rainforest Hub was established back in 2023, with funding from the Drax Foundation, National Lottery Heritage Fund, Argyll and Bute Council, NatureScot and Scottish Forestry, to serve as a focal point of activity around Argyll’s Rainforest and features a new native tree nursery, planted with the help of Drax Foundation funding.

Alongside the tree nursery, ACT has also created a ‘Rainforest Squad’ to deliver training courses at the Rainforest Hub’s outdoor learning activity space.

Previous grants from the Drax Foundation have been used to support the delivery of outdoor science, technology, maths and engineering (STEM) learning throughout Argyll with 49 sessions provided to nearly 300 school pupils and funding will continue to support the growth of this programme. ACT has become one of a small number of Scottish organisations to become an accredited Young STEM Leaders Delivery Centre.

This academic year’s outdoor programme is now underway and will be regularly visiting the tree nursery located at the hub. Launched in 2023, the pilot scheme had a significant impact on young people with the unique experiences offering engaging, creative and inclusive learning opportunities with the addition of the new tree nursery giving school children a perfect environment for the application of STEM in nature. 

Julie Young, ACT CEO, said: “Having our own Rainforest Squad and native tree nursery is a game changer for us – it allows us to ensure a healthy stock of trees with local provenance for planting for our own projects, and also provides a fantastic learning opportunity for our Outdoor STEM projects, and for rainforest volunteers to really get involved with what rainforest restoration it all about.”

Scotland’s temperate rainforest, also known as Atlantic woodland or the Celtic Rainforest, is a unique habitat of ancient and native forest, open glades, boulders, crags, ravines and river gorges. Argyll itself is home to more than half of the remaining rainforest in Scotland; however, the internationally important habitat is currently under threat from invasive plant species and the looming threat of climate change.

Shona King, group head of community at Drax, added: “The native rainforests in Argyll are unique and biodiverse habitats that provide the ideal setting for children to learn their STEM in nature skills. Drax are proud to continue our long-term funding commitment to ACT, who provide such a strong impact to young people through its activities and programmes in the region. We look forward to seeing the positives outcomes that this funding will no doubt deliver.”