Courtesy of Trees For Life
In a significant development for environmental conservation, the TreadRight Foundation, an initiative of The Travel Corporation (TTC), has unveiled its latest partnership with Trees for Life. This collaboration aims to support the charity’s transformative Wild Pine project, which focuses on restoring Scotland’s vital Caledonian Forest and its distinctive wildlife.
Focus on Nature-Based Solutions
This partnership marks TreadRight’s first announcement since pivoting towards supporting nature-based solutions (NbS) within its broader sustainability strategy encompassing Planet, People, and Wildlife. The foundation, known for its commitment to making travel matter, aims to reflect the growing awareness of environmental issues through impactful initiatives.
Commitment to Net Zero
As the first tour operator to establish verified net zero targets, TTC has also initiated an internal Carbon Fund to facilitate its transition toward a more environmentally friendly operational model. This aligns with TreadRight’s focus on prioritizing nature-based solutions.
Earth Day Insights
“With this year’s Earth Day theme being ‘invest in our planet,’ our collaboration with Trees for Life—a charity committed to combating intertwined nature and climate crises—brings immense promise,” states Shannon Guihan, TTC’s Chief Sustainability Officer and Head of The TreadRight Foundation. She elaborates that NbS encompass conservation, ecosystem restoration, and improved land management to mitigate and capture carbon emissions.
Rewilding Scotland’s Highlands
Trees for Life is dedicated to the rewilding efforts in the Scottish Highlands, where wild pinewoods once stretched across an estimated one million hectares. Unfortunately, only about 2% of this crucial habitat remains, now fragmented and under threat. The charity, celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, leverages the support of thousands of volunteers to protect this unique ecosystem and foster social and economic benefits for local communities.
Benefits of Rewilding
According to Trees for Life, rewilding effectively safeguards biodiversity, restores natural landscapes, and curtails carbon emissions—an essential component in the global push toward net zero. With climate scientists emphasizing its importance, the initiative represents a vital effort to counteract climate change.
Additional Nature-Based Partnerships
Trees for Life joins TreadRight’s distinguished roster of nature-based solution partners, which includes US-based initiatives like GreenWave and Project Vesta, both focused on marine environments.
Experiencing Rewilding First-Hand
Travel enthusiasts can explore Trees for Life’s Dundreggan Rewilding Centre, accessible through Highland Explorer Tours and Trafalgar. This experience includes:
- Adventuring through Dundreggan’s diverse landscapes via accessible trails, just eight miles from the renowned Loch Ness.
- Diving into centuries of Gaelic history intertwined with a landscape undergoing remarkable rewilding transformations.
- Accessing a 10,000-acre estate that has been a focal point for rewilding since 2008, home to over 4,000 plant and animal species, including golden eagles and native black grouse.
For more details about TreadRight’s commitment to nature-based solutions, visit treadright.org/planet.
