Highland investors fund rewilding project to combat rural depopulation
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Highlands Rewilding is issuing a final call for local investors to join its growing body of so-called citizen rewilders and invest in restoring Scotland’s nature-depleted landscapes, as it prepares to reach the conclusion of its crowdfunding campaign on Tuesday.
A key aim is to preserve the future stability of rural businesses and communities that rely on resources nature provides.
More than 650 citizen rewilders have already pledged over £1 million to support the UK’s first mass-ownership company dedicated to taking nature restoration and community prosperity to scale, through rewilding.
Highlands Rewilding aims to play a lead role in harnessing the power of nature and diverting private investments from ruin to restoration.
Founder and CEO of Highlands Rewilding, Dr Jeremy Leggett, a former Greenpeace director, said: “Every penny invested will help plant trees, restore biodiversity, sequester carbon and develop the science and data accounting we need to support the recovery of nature on a global scale.
“Through rewilding we can help provide local rural communities acquire the tools with which to adapt and thrive in less nature depleted landscapes, combatting the extremes of climate change. We have shown with our own growing team of 22 that rewilding can create local sustainable jobs, including within regenerative agriculture, and we also supporting local apprenticeships, internships and teaming up with a local high school to run a series of outdoor education classes."
Dr Calum Brown, Highlands Rewilding’s co-chief scientist, said: “For me rewilding means the chance to live and work in the place where I grew up, to improve the environment for my children, seeing peatlands restored, native woodlands growing, and wildlife flourishing."
In a project that began three years ago, aiming to reverse nature-loss in Scotland and beyond, the mass-ownership company is nearing the end of its latest funding campaign, extending its target to £1.1 million and 1000 investors.
With the funds raised, the company will be able to acquire South Bunloit, Beldorney Castle, in Aberdeenshire, and has enabled the signing for Tayvallich Estate, in Argyll, which provides significant biodiversity opportunities.
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