FSC Verified Impact: Be part of Ardura Community Forest's story
Help a community restoring and conserving temperate rainforest on the Isle of Mull.
Karen Paterson - Forests & Ecosystem Services Manager
A haven for nature and people
Ardura Community Forest, managed by Mull and Iona Community Trust (MICT), is located on the Isle of Mull off the west coast of Scotland. It has long been an important part of the lives of islanders and central to the way of life for generations of families. The Gaelic naming of the forest, Doir a’ Chuilinn, or ‘holly grove’ goes back to medieval times and the forest still supports ancient hollies and gnarled old oaks today.
The forest covers 200 hectares, comprising rare Atlantic rainforest, which is as internationally important as tropical rainforest but even more unique due to the globally rare fungi, lichen and plant species.
In 2023, Ardura Community Forest was the first forest in the UK to achieve FSC Verified Impact, in recognition of the positive impacts of its enhanced forest management practices to both nature and local communities.
Highlights of this project
- Removal of non-native species and planting of native trees, enabling the natural regeneration of the forest and open habitat, creating more space and light for flowers, ferns and heathers to flourish across 200 ha of forest habitat.
- Protection and conservation of ecologically-important and biodiverse priority habitats.
- Ardura Community Forest is becoming an example of community-led and evidence-based conservation and restoration of forest ecosystems for the benefit of biodiversity and people.
- Development of opportunities for individuals, communities and businesses to engage with nature and contribute to nature recovery, through improvements in access and facilities.
Project details
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Biodiversity conservation
- Restoration of natural forest cover: 200 ha
- Conservation of natural forest characteristics: 200 ha
MICT’s aim is to restore degraded habitats and protect the entire forest area, moving away from extractive management practices towards protection of Ardura Community Forest. The forest is home to isolated pockets of rare and ancient native Atlantic rainforest habitats and globally rare fungi, lichen and plant communities, veteran oak and holly trees, plus “UK Biodiversity Action Plan” priority open habitats: species-rich grassland; wetlands; and heathland.
Ardura Community Forest will become ‘wilder’, developing natural forest characteristics, protecting soils, sequestering and storing carbon and providing a home for an array of species.
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Recreational services
- Maintenance/conservation of areas of importance for recreation and/or tourism: 200 ha
In a small and remote community, where indoor leisure facilities are limited, the forest provides a much-needed space for islanders to meet and socialise. It enables people to connect with each other, offering volunteering opportunities as well as nature-based education reducing loneliness and boosting wellbeing. MICT is improving access through the creation of a network of footpaths, and has created a forest shelter to enable outdoor learning for adults and children.
Meet the community restoring this temperate rainforest
How to be part of Ardura Community Forest's story
FSC Verified Impact matches businesses, financial institutions, and governments to ecosystem-services projects, like this one, in FSC-certified forests to enable the forest managers to continue their vital work. As a project sponsor, Verified Impact gives you access to credible, verified data around the real-world environmental and social impact that the project is having, so you can communicate this impact to your stakeholders. Please get in touch if you are interested in supporting this project.
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