Cornish Farm Launches Project To Triple Uk’s Temperate Rainforest

Once upon a time, there was a war veteran named Merlin Hanbury-Tenison, who fought in Afghanistan and discovered solace in an unexpected place—the magical world of temperate rainforests. But this ain't your typical rainforest tale. No, Hanbury-Tenison has a wild and ambitious plan to triple Britain's temperate rainforest, and he's launching a charity called The Thousand Year Trust to make it happen. Now, prepare yourself for a journey into the lush and biodiverse realm of tree-hugging hilarity. Picture this: Hanbury-Tenison, a fearless warrior, returned from the battlefield with a battle of his own—post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Seeking solace, he embarked on a mission to transform his 120-hectare hill farm on Bodmin Moor into the largest rainforest restoration project in England and Wales. Move over, Amazon, because the British rainforest revolution is here! The Thousand Year Trust is joining forces with local farmers, landowners, and charities to identify suitable land and triple Cornwall's existing temperate rainforest. And they're not stopping there! Their audacious goal is to triple the entire UK's rainforest coverage to a whopping one million acres in the next three decades. It's like a rainforest Renaissance! You see, rainforests aren't just about the tropics. Hanbury-Tenison discovered a hidden gem—a temperate rainforest, right on his doorstep. And guess what? It's the most stunning habitat in the UK. So, with agroforestry, natural regeneration, and the planting of 100,000 trees, our rainforest warrior is turning his family farm into a haven for free-ranging Highland cattle, Cornish black pigs, and local ponies. It's a farm-frolicking, rainforest extravaganza! The popularity of temperate rainforests has skyrocketed recently, thanks to Guy Shrubsole's best-selling book, "The Lost Rainforests of Britain," and the legendary David Attenborough's TV series, "Wild Isles." The enchantment is real, people! And as the public falls head over heels for rainforests, Hanbury-Tenison hopes more farmers, landowners, and politicians will jump on board to protect and regenerate these magical habitats. Why are these rainforests so special? Well, besides being carbon sequestering powerhouses, they boast dense growth and a canopy full of epiphytes (fancy word for plants growing on other plants). It's like a green wonderland up there! Mother Nature's ingenious way of doing things. As for Hanbury-Tenison, he credits the forest at his farm, aptly named Cabilla, for saving him from the clutches of PTSD. The forest became his therapy, his sanctuary. And now, he's paying it forward by restoring and expanding it, like a true rainforest superhero. Sure, they're planting 100,000 trees at Cabilla, but guess what? Mother Nature is getting in on the action too. Forty percent of the rainforest restoration will happen through natural regeneration, with a little help from free-roaming pigs spreading seeds and protecting jays that bury acorns and unknowingly plant oaks. It's a pig and bird collaboration that even Disney couldn't dream up! But here's the kicker—this rainforest revolution isn't just about nature. It's about transforming the farming game. Hanbury-Tenison aims to create new income streams through agroforestry, selling free-range meat, and even carbon credits. Who knew that rainforests and bacon could be the ultimate power couple? Of course, every great adventure has its challenges. Some people worry that wilding uplands might displace working folks, but studies