Conservation Holiday Activities

No previous experience of conservation work is necessary to participate in our Conservation Holidays, but you do need to have a reasonable level of fitness. Each task begins with an explanation and demonstration by the leaders, who will also cover the safety aspects you will need to bear in mind. We provide tools and safety equipment, such as hard hats and goggles, where necessary. All the work bears directly upon some aspect of forest restoration.

Planting trees

We plant trees in areas where the forest is unlikely to be able to regenerate itself because of the remoteness of the nearest seed sources. Planting usually takes place in exclosures, that is, within fences that prevent overgrazing by sheep and deer. Most weeks include tree planting and this year we will have a number of Conservation Holidays dedicated solely to planting trees. Please note that not all Conservation Holidays will include tree planting.

Felling non-native trees

Many sites that are now designated for Caledonian Forest restoration were formerly plantations of spruce and lodge pole pine, which spread seed and grow more quickly than Scots pine. Left to their own devices, the plantation trees out-compete the native trees and it is this regeneration that we tackle, using bow saws and loppers. We only remove smaller trees and usually avoid working in plantations. Nearly all Conservation Holidays involve some non-native tree removal. Occasionally, we remove rhododendron where this invasive non-native shrub is endangering the native vegetation.

Removing fences

Where fences are no longer needed we remove them because they are an unnatural element in the landscape and pose a serious threat to birds such as the black grouse and capercaillie, which sometimes fly into them. Fence removal is a very popular and satisfying team activity as it is easy to see how much has been achieved in such a short space of time.

Tree nursery work

At our nursery at Plodda Lodge we grow some of the trees that are then planted out into the forest. Most weeks staying at Plodda will spend a day in the nursery, helping to propagate trees, weed beds, make compost and so on.

Wetland restoration

We have been using recycled plastic sheeting at various sites to dam the drainage ditches which were ploughed in for commercial plantations. This work encourages bog to re-establish, which helps create new habitiat and restores lost biodiversity.

Collecting seeds and berries

We collect pine cones for their seeds in spring, while most other seeds and berries are collected in autumn. This is a leisurely activity that will take you into beautiful mature forest.

Stock fencing and tree guards

Some sites we work at do have resident, although controlled, deer populations. Here we put up small stock fences both to protect the planted trees and to safeguard the naturally occurring seedlings.

Surveying & monitoring

An important element of our work is monitoring various aspects of the forest habitat. This can include wildlife and vegetation surveys as well as following up on previous years’ planting projects.

Tree fertilising

As some of the land we plant on has been depleted of nutrients we supplement the planted trees with natural rock phosphate to encourage good root growth and aid the establishment of the young trees.

Speciality Weeks

As part of our commitment to volunteers we are introducing a new range of Conservation Holidays this year. These new and unique weeks will provide the volunteers with more time to explore the forest and discuss the educational aspects of the week as well as having the opportunity to carry out practical conservation work.

Conservation Holiday group. Photo by Craig Dickson.

Meditation Week - 3rd April, Dundreggan

If you are new to meditation or you are already practising, this week is an ideal opportunity to spend some time in nature discussing various aspects of spirituality in modern life as well as meditating throughout the week. Time will also be allocated to practical conservation work on Dundreggan estate; planting native trees, felling non-native species or carrying out survey work.

Corporate Events Week - 22nd May, Dundreggan

This week has been designed for groups or businesses to take part in restoring the Caledonian Forest with an emphasis on team building. Individually designed programmes of one to four days can also be arranged. Contact the Conservation Holiday office on 0845 602 7386 or email Rosie@treesforlife.org.uk for more details.

Women’s Week - 11th Sept, Achnashellach

This week has been created in direct response to creative feedback from volunteers. It is designed for women only and will be led by female staff. This week will run as a normal Conservation Holiday with the emphasis on practical conservation work.

Forest Discovery Week - 25th September, Dundreggan

This week is ideal for anyone who wants to learn more about Scottish wildlife, forest ecology and ecological restoration while making a practical contribution. Half of the week will be spent discovering what the forest has to offer from an ecological perspective; learning plant identification, wildlife tracking, conservation theory etc, while the other half will be spent carrying out practical work such as planting native trees, felling non-native species or carrying out survey work.

Last updated: Wednesday, 25-Aug-2010 15:59:59 BST