Trees for Life’s Dundreggan Rewilding Centre in Glenmoriston near Loch Ness has been recognized for its groundbreaking efforts in rewilding landscapes and people. The centre, which opened in 2023, was awarded the Nature Tourism Award at RSPB Scotland’s Nature of Scotland Awards 2024. The prestigious accolade was presented at a ceremony held at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre on November 28th.
The Nature of Scotland Awards aims to honor individuals and organizations across local communities, schools, and businesses who are making a positive impact on Scotland’s wildlife and natural environment. This year, the Dundreggan Rewilding Centre received recognition for “bringing people and nature together.”
Laurelin Cummins-Fraser, Director of the Dundreggan Rewilding Centre, expressed her gratitude for the award saying, “This award is a great honor. It’s a testament to our fantastic team who deliver a unique, high-quality experience for visitors from around the world, and to the hope and inspiration rewilding offers.”
The centre, the first of its kind in the world, showcases how rewilding can benefit both people and the environment. It serves as a gateway for visitors to explore the 10,000-acre Dundreggan estate where Trees for Life is restoring the Caledonian forest and its wildlife.
The Dundreggan Rewilding Centre was developed in collaboration with the local community and offers a variety of year-round events and activities, accessible forest trails, a café and events space, a storytelling bothy, outdoor play area, and purpose-built accommodation with 20 bedrooms. Visitors of all ages and abilities can enjoy the centre and learn about the benefits of rewilding for wildlife and the climate.
Professor Colin Galbraith, Chair of headline sponsor NatureScot, praised the award winners saying, “As Scotland takes up the challenge to stop the biodiversity loss our generation has witnessed, this year’s award winners are the true nature heroes we all need in our lives. Their energy, expertise, and compassion is truly inspirational, and a reason for celebration.”
Trees for Life has been rewilding Dundreggan since 2008 when it purchased the former deer stalking estate. The organization’s volunteers have helped restore globally important fragments of the Caledonian forest, while their specialized tree nursery grows over 70,000 native trees each year. The biodiversity hotspot is home to over 4,000 plant and animal species.
Anne McCall, Director of RSPB Scotland, also praised the award winners saying, “The Nature of Scotland Awards have brought a growing group of hardworking, motivated, and passionate people into the conservation spotlight, and I’d like to wish all our winners a huge congratulations. It’s a joy to see such incredible work happening with nature and climate at its heart, and Scotland is all the better for it.”
Scotland is currently one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world, and Trees for Life is a member of the Scottish Rewilding Alliance, which is calling on the Scottish Government to declare Scotland a rewilding nation. The alliance is urging people to sign the Rewilding Nation Charter at www.rewild.scot/charter, which calls for a commitment to nature recovery across 30% of land and sea.
To learn more about the Dundreggan Rewilding Centre, visit visitdundreggan.co.uk.
