One man's dream to restore a forest
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- Опубликовано: 6 дек 2023
- In 1976 Alan Watson Featherstone made a promise to restore Scotland's Caledonian Forest. On the back of that promise, he founded the hugely successful rewilding charity Trees for Life and is arguably responsible for the rewilding movement in Scotland and beyond. I was fortunate enough to spend a day with Alan in Glen Afric hearing about that feat and the ongoing impact his promise is having. It was a hugely inspiring day for me and I hope you feel the same - his words brought me (and him) to tears and is a story of hope, optimism and success.
alanwatsonfeatherstone.com
treesforlife.org.uk
www.treesforhope.earth
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People like him are real heros. Not soldiers, politicians or footbolplayers.
Politicians and footballers no but soldiers I would certainly say are heroes alot fought and died for the freedom of people and nations but that said I would put this man as a hero for he is looking after nature
I was lucky enough to meet Alan at Findhorn in 1979; he put me on the track of working with Nature, which I've done ever since. Forever grateful.
He is an amazing inspiration
Dang, forget the fence, get Alan and that forest some lynx and some wolves, then a few bears, I bet you the deer problem gets dealt with. Plus, bears are great for seed dispersal, too
That would be fantastic, sadly, we are a few years away from having lynx in Scotland, and a long way from bears, but there is a growing majority pushing for the return of predators to the UK.
It is always possible through moral, but a lil less than legal means :]
You need to create the environment,grow the trees before you can think of that mate, long long way off that.
Where there are huge unrestrained populations of browsers (the likes of goats and deer) and sheep, fences are unfortunately necessary to give trees a chance. I have goats. I know!
Wolves eventually yes; they’ll control the deer and the woolly pests (sheep) and promote much needed regeneration, but bears need much more room. Living in bear country is not practical in Scotland, no fence will limit their range, and bears have terrible table manners.
You are definitely an inspiration Alan. We are doing a similar project in Queensland, although on a much reduced scale. In 6 years we have turned a flogged out sheep paddock into a bit of a forest forest. The wildlife that has moved in is amazing, and the birds in particular are exceptional seed dispersers. There are already tree seedlings popping up we haven't seen before. All of our neighbours and visitors are in awe of the transformation in such a short time period of time. They ooh,and ahh and then go home to their ride on mowers...like you say, you can't just talk about it. We hope our legacies aren't in vain, but at least we can say we left the world at least a little better than we found it. You should get a Nobel prize. Cheers mate from down under!
The world needs more people like him for sure, very nicely done.
It certainly does. Fortunately, there are others and I hope to bring you more voices from other people doing amazing things!
@@SimonDures I look forward to it . keep up the great work. your forests there flourish when deer are kept out, here we have reintroduced the bison to revitalize our forest lands, and wow do they do an amazing job.
@@davebloggs A few megaherbivores roaming the glens would certainly do wonders for the habitat here!
@@SimonDures once we had millions of bison wandering around here now not so much. but the difference they make is stunning they open up the lower 8 to 10 feet letting light hit the forest floor, they are amazing at what I call nutrient redistribution . . the ones they released in Banff National Park have made quite the difference.
_We_ need to be like him
He who plants a tree, plant a hope.
The man is a legend, we love him!! ❤
Yes we do!!
Really exciting! Good on you Alan! I always looked at Scotland and Ireland, England for that matter, and thought "why are there no trees?" Don't people plant trees? My mothers tells me , "No dear, that's just naturally how it is there". " I think, well they should!"
I see Mother doesn't know what she's talking about, and they are planting trees!! This is so exciting, and inspiring!
People like Alan are slowly helping recover the Scottish landscape to what it once was
I wasn't expecting to be bawling in my computer chair today but here I am. What a powerful dream, and to see it become a reality in your own lifetime? I can't imagine a better life to have lived.
It was a hard film to make as both Alan and I were holding back the tears on a number of occasions, he is unbelievably inspirational and I think part of my emotion was envy at what an amazing difference he has made and life he has lived!
Scotland is so beautiful. It warms my heart to see this gorgeous land restored . Blessings upon this man for his good deeds may fortune repay his kind deeds for the remainder of his days.
Forest restoration is the best gift humanity could give to this planet. Good man setting an example.
I certainly agree!
This is the OG Lord of the Rings landscape. Magical, beautiful.
It certainly is! It is a fantastically beautiful landscape
This is a great reminder that humankind is equally capable of healing and growth as we are of destruction. It's a harsh world but I've always had a faith in our capacity for choosing good :)
I completely agree. If one man can achieve this there is a huge amount of hope to be had
There are not enough driven humans in our beautiful world. His emotional connection to his calling in life is truly inspirational. Thanks for sharing your story
A truly inspiring message from an amazing man and a hero of mine. I said "yes" to setting up Climate Action North and like Alan says "don't be afraid to dream big" - that's what we are doing and continue to look to Alan for inspiration. Thank you for this beautiful film it really has made my day. 🙏🌿🌏
Thank you, both for the praise and the work you do. What a lovely thing to say 🙏
Beautiful film. I once said to Alan a few years ago, that I didn't do hero worship. But if I did, he'd be right up there.
Oh I completely agree with you there! I was nervous to make this film simply because I wanted to do justice to Alan and all his work. Thank you for the compliment 🙏
Thank you Alan - help is on the way!
How wonderful and touching! I believe that everybody can plant a little something in their yard, on their balcony, in their community to make the world a little greener. Turn your lawn into a mini food forest. Create wildlife hedges with affordable native hedge plants. Participate in a neighborhood garden. We can do it!
Well said!
This man is a real hero.
He truly is!
Alan is the true superhero the world needs! The man’s work will never be forgotten. Truly Alan, from the bottom oh my heart, I thank you
Very true words!
Great job! Your commitment to planting trees not only creates shade but also contributes immensely to improving the environment. Salute to you for making such a positive impact!
Well said!
Thank you so much for letting him tell his story in his own words, rather than some narrator who is just doing a job and doesn’t have the connection to the land Alan does. Wonderful video.
Thank you so much, I am so glad you enjoyed it!
I'm in peaces 💛 Tears of joy... wish I could be there with you
Those were my feelings making this little film! I am glad it brought you joy!
Incredible man, very inspiring! Been following Scottish replanting for years and the difference inside and out the fenced off area is staggering. We must reserve more national parks for nature! Not just sheep grazing and deer with no natural predators to roam free.
I completely agree, we need parks that work for wildlife and are more than just paper parks. Cairngorms connect seem to be working with people and the land to bring about some meaningful change
This human is gorgeous.
What a wonderful story ! I love planting trees myself . I live in the state of Minnesota, USA .The northern area of Minnesota is the northern boreal evergreen forest that goes into Canada . The mid to southern part of the state is hardwood deciduous forest .
Forest lands bring spirit to the land . Trees are my friends.
It would be wonderful for Scotland to be reforested . And to bring spirit back to the land .
Thank you for a lovely comment, I completely agree and I am sure Alan would as well!
I watched Alan's talks few years ago and have seen the beginning of this beautiful forest. Amazing man. One who will be remembered by generations. He helped to create something beautiful and inspired thousands others to do the same. A true hero. Sending love from Australia...xoxox
He will certainly be remembered, and what a legacy to have left!
It's such vital work, Simon. I get very emotional about trees, they are so beautiful, have such grandeur. A forest is a sacred place.
I couldn’t agree more, I am not a religious man, but the forests are like my cathedrals.
Thank you. You have done so much for our future and for the generations to come. Hopefully they have the wisdom to carry on your good work. Again, thank you.
Robert Macdonald of Canada 🇨🇦
I hope so too! Alan is an inspiration and a role model for what can be achieved. Thank you!
Gracias. 💚🙏🎄🫀 Muchas gracias.
Mi hijo pequeño y yo estamos limpiando y reforestando tanto cómo podemos, el bosque donde habitamos, en México.
Ésta labor es necesaria y urgente.
La corrupción, la falta de integridad, la tala, etc son la pandemia. Es demoledor.
Nos hemos enfermado de pena incluso, pero no nos damos por vencidos.
🪶🌠 Maravilla.
¡Bien hecho! Es sorprendente escuchar eso. Mi prometido es de México y por eso entiendo lo poco de tus dificultades. Seguir luchando. ¿Quizás algún día podríamos visitar tu bosque? ¡Disculpas por el mal español!
@@SimonDures Sería maravilloso y muy positivo. Será un placer recibiros en nuestra cabaña offgrid. Y poder charlar de esto. Necesitamos ayuda, necesitamos que tomen consciencia y el bosque nos necesita. Gracias Simón
What a hero!!!
He certainly is!
Awesome Alan, you're a legend for standing for our forests
What a top bloke, inspiring
What an inspirational video you have produced. Very well told, and very classical editted. A feast for the mind and eye. The world needs many more Simons and Alans. Truly remarkable. Thanks for sharing!
That is incredibly kind of you to say, thank you! Hopefully I can bring more inspiring stories like this!
We say YES in Andalucía!
Thank you Alan!
It's great to see a such a humble man make such huge change on the planet. We need more great men like Allen. Thank you Allen !
Great work and vision Alan had/has. Back in the late 70's and early 80's many people did not know or care about the Caledonian Pine Forest. Many today still do not know or care. It takes people like Alan to take action and make the difference. I live in NE Scotland and have Glen Tannar, Ballochbuie, Linn O Dee/ Marr Lodge, Abernethy and Glenmore areas of Caledonian Forest left. Cairngorms connect is a strategy in the Cairngorms National Park to try and connect up all the areas of Caledonian pine remnants. I often wonder and dream what the Highlands would look like even partially restored to a natural state over a large continuous area. If I had the money, time and resources I would buy up land and help restore areas as best I could. Maybe I should volunteer, It is something that I frequently follow, I love seeing the progress of before and after pictures.
It is amazing what is happening across Scotland. It seems to be a slow but increasingly steady shift and I think for the majority and popular shift. I would encourage you to volunteer, there are so many projects and man hours are a hugely valuable contribution. It is also hugely satisfying to revisit trees you planted with your own hands!
LOVE YOU A.W.F.!!
precisly this kind of humble, miraclously fantastic vision and effort that might save this planet.
HUGE LOVE❤
What a wonderful and inspiring man who is making a massive contribution to our country.
He certainly is, on both counts!
I hiked through glen affric and its sooooooo beautiful, thx to this guy. I cant even put it into words how much it impacted me to see this beauty. Its my favourit place on earth next to the isle of skye. Thanks so so much. I will return to this magical place soon.
Couldn't agree more! It is a wonderful place!
What a wonderful example and so appreciated in today's cynical world. Thank you!
Absolutely!
Wonderfull Man with a great warm heart, lucky to have build this Forest with lots of work for Mother Earth💝💝💝 great gift for all of us.💖💖💖
Thanks giving some forest human likes you!
You a small man but one with heart and wisdom
Need more humans like him .. ❤
We certainly do!
A truely great human being!!!!❤😊
What a legacy!
It certainly is, one many of us could only hope for!
Alan you are a fantastic Man. The world could do with many more like you. Let's hope what you have started keeps on going forever. We all need to look at the bigger picture. And do our bit .
I couldn't have said it better myself
What an inspirational video. Keep fighting the good fight, my brother.
THIS is what we all need to do to reverse the damages weve done. Yes protests bring awareness but if you have time to protest you have time to rebuild nature like this guy. Stop complaining and start taking action
Action all the way!
We can all plant a tree and pick up trash to help the earth. ❤😊❤
Thank you Alan ❤
all the love to that guy !
What a wonderful Man..thanks Alan
yes, indeed a great contribution from a man with a big heart..
Yes indeed!
❤ Loved your video and love what your doing for the future you are making a great change for are next generation and for life ❤ THANK YOU 🙏 for your hard work and time 🙏❤️ and all others who are helping 🙏 GOOD BLESS YOU ALL 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏❤️❤️
Thank you, Alan!
What a wonderful project that will live well into the future
This is my dream here in England but the cost of trying to obtain land to start regeneration is so expensive and disheartening. One day, one day, is all I keep saying to my family but so far it's still out of reach. I'm lucky to work outdoors and I feel connected to nature and see the pain we've inflicted on our mother earth first hand. I want to give back what we've all taken from this land and protect it from the greedy property developers who are the parasites of our era. Nice to see you've managed to make good headway in what must be a mountainous task to re-wild Scotland. Good luck sir!
Alan is a true inspiration and all the more so because he did it with no money, he worked and collaborated with all sorts of people and organisations. Forestry Scotland was the first one. Perhaps you could approach Forestry England if there is a place you think something like this could work?
Well Done Alan. Well done
Loved this film since the premier I was luckily invited to. Amazing job!
A glamorous event it was too!!
Inspiring.
I wish more people could see beyond their own lives both backwards and forwards. Trees around me live for thousands of years and people refuse to leave them alone and just let them grow.
Healthy underbrush usually protects baby trees from deer but underbrush is usually the first thing stripped off. I would argue most of the deserts on earth used to be forested and thousands of years of human occupation destroyed the native forests.
great mini doc on someone who needs more attention thank you for posting this
Thank you so much, I am glad you enjoyed it
Beautiful landscape. Glad it's recovering.
It really is!
Thank you Alan. 💚✌️
“I feel Her calling and I must respond!” ❤❤❤❤🌎🌎🌎
wonderful scenery
wonderful story! its important, because its not just a story, but we are living this aswell.
Very true words
Im so glad things like this are being coveted! I hope your audience grows, so more people know about wonderful things people are doing for our home.
That is my hope, to showcase all the amazing conservation work that is being done around the world
Amazing! thank you for sharing this very important testimony, what an incredible man Alan is.
You are welcome and I am glad you enjoyed it!
wow. that makes you a fully paid up member of nature, a rare gift. ive grown a mini poplar forresr(by accident, didnt know they spread by roots lol!.great vision top work. thanks from mother nature.
Well done you! even the smallest mini forests are important.
i dream big and at least partially in the way this big man does, but the longer i live the smaller my dreams are becoming... Maybe i lack logic, plan or maybe determination, persistance. But the idea to start everything with those calendars was great. Small steps are needed for big dreams, esspessially for a guy like me :)
It’s all about taking lots of small steps in the right direction
Thanks a lot 🌹🌹💖
You are welcome
Awesome!! 👏
Thank you! Cheers!
This is so very touching and beautiful and inspiring
Thank you so much!
Big thanks from Poland ! We should back to nature because we are part of it . Maybe someday you will visit the last virgin forest in Europe- Bialowieza forest 🙂 see you there !
I would absolutely love to come and visit the Bialowieza forest. It looks absolutely beautiful!
Alan, you are a hero!
Awesome accomplishment. I've been involved since I was a kid in the 1960's. I'm wildlife photographer and conservation is vital to life on the planet.
That is fantastic, you must have seen so much change!
Legend.
Yep!
TRUE HERO
He certainly is!
I remember openly public contacting on Alans blog , which was meant to be a comment but ended as an essay.
I basically said Alan and his charity - trees for life were the only conservationists with common sense that had true morals working traditionally in line with nature.
They only collected native tree seeds from that area they planted and knowing what trees grew there i.e the pine tree was back bone of the boreal forest , in our case the scots pine.
The riparian area lochs, rivers and streams were birch mainly but also trembling aspen, wild bird cherry and down on the wet damp areas... Willow and alder.
Unlike the rest who just planted any tree that was native... Mainly the fast spreading coloniser birch without a scots pine in mind. Im talking central , east and north highlands on peat soil which is mostly what the Highlands are.
Ofcourse there were scots Oak on lower land and amongst riparian areas too.
I also agreed 💯 that we needed predators back here to keep the browsers moving to allow generation.
But first we need the land to heal by planting native forests in a much more *larger scale* and let them become established first.
We know its impossible to get the 4 x deer numbers the land can hold we have down.
So reality is deer exclosures / fencing. Exclosures also allow any rare understorey to make a come back.
It takes 30 yrs if no trees or seed and planted as saplings, to evolve into an established forest. Once there established its more important to save the extinction of our rare wildlife we have such as red squirrels, black and capercaper grouse , scottish wild cat , wild boar etc excetra!
Only then can we bring back predators such as Lynx ( although a few places can sustain lynx like cairn gorms area , glen tanner and maybe affric only when it has reached west coast and joined up with glen morrison and glen cannich as lynx males fight each other to the *death* for territory and there territory needs to be 100 sq kilometres each male.
Its insane and wrong to bring back predators as too little native forest cover as it is, we have only 1.5 % mature native woodland!
We need to bring over capercaillies to be introduced again, as there dying out ( extinct ) for the 3rd time in Row.
See the red danger species for scotland and be shocked , our land is an empty barren wet desert.
Not just trees but the fruits and berries 🍒 the birds and animals depend on are long gone thanks to the aristocrats , gun ho, burning the land for sub species moor grouse and clear felling the native forests for fast growing monoculture, fat profit plantations... Mans savage greed for the love of mammon instead of our Creator heavenly Fathers laws of living humble and only taking what we need!
The land is so degraded the peat haggs are the final stage before desert , the very last few minerals washed out by torental rain as the heather, a weed family can not stitch it together any longer as roots too short especially munched to nothing by deer.
The land slides are everywhere now and reveal the sandy desert for all to see.
I'm ashamed for the people in Scotland to have allowed it , 100,000 people removed that lived in harmony with nature for SHEEP and wealthy greedy foreigners to destroy everything... There play ground they called Scotland
Do not give a single donation to conservation's , let the wealthy pay to restore the irreversible damage the caused because it's too late already... The DND times are here and God has ordered peace to be taken away from earth, the four horses are released of WAR, FAMINE, DISEASE AND PESTILANCE ALL WICKED WILL SEE DEATH.
The MEEK shall inherit the earth after they rise from the ASHES and peace will descend from the heavens for a thousand years.
All yous who never cared about anything are going to face death , now go get your next Georgia stones jab for the love of your masters .... Manic suicide.
Fabulous story… thank you
Glad you enjoyed it
just incredible
Plant like your life depends on it, because it does , bravo
This is such an incredible inspiration!!!
Great video and I love the message Alan is sending
Thank you!
5ft 4 but a heart for the size of a man at 10ft 4 this is the sorta man we should look up too!
very impressed.
What a blessing this man is, and the video! Thank you for sharing. Predators are so important for the ecosystem. While sustenance hunting is fine, mainly people hunt for trophies and sport which is bad for the genetic and overall well being of prey. Predators take young old and sick or weak. They balance everything.
We need to do this all over the world. Thank you because you said yes, God bless you.
Thank you!! I wish to do something to help in my old age, you give me more inspiration, so glad I landed on your channel, a bazillion thumbs up to you!
You are so welcome and thank you so much for the encoragement!!
I watched this from the beginning. Lots of us saw the same and thought “something needs to be done,” and didn’t; little Allen did. Timing and luck may seem to favour the brave (or crazy) but don’t underestimate what you can do.
Yes, it is amazing what can be done when you just give it a go!
very inspiring. Thank you x
Hero
Good job sir great works love it
This is the meaningful difference that those troubled kids are looking for, not glueing their hands to roads or paintings. This is the way to build a living future. 🌲🌳🎄🌳🌲🎄🌳🎄🌴🌳🌲🌴🌳🌲🌳🌵🎄🌲🌳
this forest is amazing. but this forest, within our current system, would also be cut down and destroyed.
what hes doing is amazing, dont get me wrong. but theres a root cause for why the forests died to begin with. that root cause hasnt changed
The way to build a living future indeed! Thank you for your comment!
Fabulous ! We need a lot more of this, not just in Caledonia/Scotland but throughout ALL the British Isles and for that matter, many other places in the world.
Plus we need more Fencing to keep out farm animals and, until such time as the native wolf population is (if ever) restored, hunting by suitably licenced people with big guns, to control the numbers of deer.
Remember folks that with enough foraging by sheep/cattle/deer/rabbits in an area, they'll eventually turn a forest into a treeless desert. Any baby trees sprouting get grazed off and killed when just a small delicious seedling.
Like the guy says, you get Grandma trees, but there are no babies sprouting coming up around them, not for hundreds of years.
Doesn't Britain have some unemployed people ? With suitable training they could be installing fencing and re-planting the forests.
In New Zealand during the 1930's Depression the government used the opportunity of cheap labour to provide employment while planting huge pine plantations (mostly for later building timbers). Remember that you can also include many non-native plants. Like the Chilean Monkey Puzzle pine tree (a proven grower in Scotland). Big cones full of edible nuts.
would love to be there helping. its not just the forests though, its also the waters that benefit as well
That is very true, there are so many benefits!
❤ bought a Tasmanian forest, shall be a Steward. Will report back in 50 years.
Well done you! I am very envious! It will be amazing to see how it develops and what wildlife comes to visit your forest
Hier wordt ik echt blij van, dankjewel!! 😊
Ik ben blij dat het een glimlach op je gezicht toverde
Why isn't this being done on a massive scale?
It is slowly moving that way with a lot of project emulating what has been started such as Cairngorms Connect, but there is certainly a need for more!