More Rewilding in Scotland

The Affric Highlands Initiative is a 30 year 'rewilding' project coming together in Scotland. The area is 200,000 hectares of the Kintail mountain range with 3 associated glens (valleys). This particular initiative has been driven by the Trees for Life organisation (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/24/vast-area-of-scottish-highlands-to-be-rewilded-in-ambitious-30-year-project-aoe). Trees for Life have had to engage in protracted discussions with some 50 local interest groups (they employed a Psychologist). The initiative includes tree planting (the saplings will have to be protected from deer), enlarging river corridors, restoring peat bogs (important carbon sinks) and encouraging nature-friendly farming practices. These changes should greatly improve connectivity in what are currently rather fragmented habitats. Riverine species, such as salmon, trout, Ospreys and otters should benefit. As should mountain species, including Golden eagles, Red grouse, Short-eared owls and Mountain hares. The general idea is to restore the location to a situation when it had both a larger human population and a greater diversity of animal species. The Affric Highlands Initiative is one of a number of European rewilding programmes. Not all such rewilding projects involve the reintroduction of wolves/lynx (although they might eventually be needed to keep Red deer numbers in check).