National Grid volunteers help replant rare temperate rainforest in Devon

Hundreds of native trees have been planted in Devon by volunteers from National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED) as part of a pioneering conservation effort to revive one of the UK’s most endangered habitats — the temperate rainforest.

A team of eight engineers and support staff spent a day at Bowden Pillars Farm, near Totnes, where they joined forces with Devon Wildlife Trust to plant around 650 trees. The work is part of a wider project to restore Atlantic woodland, also known as Celtic rainforest, across a 50-acre site.

Tree species such as sessile oak, birch, rowan, holly, alder, willow, and hazel were added to the landscape, which is already managed for conservation. These species are key to recreating the temperate rainforest ecosystem — a habitat once widespread across the British Isles but now fragmented and rare due to centuries of deforestation and land use change.

Temperate rainforests are characterised by high rainfall, humidity, and a rich diversity of mosses, lichens, and ferns. Today, these woodlands survive only in isolated pockets, mostly along the western fringes of the UK. Their restoration is seen as critical for increasing biodiversity, improving carbon capture, and helping to mitigate flood risks.

The initiative at Bowden Pillars Farm is part of Devon Wildlife Trust’s long-term strategy to bring back this crucial habitat, supported by a 105-year lease on the land, made possible through funding from Aviva and a legacy gift from a conservation supporter.

National Grid’s participation aligns with its corporate commitment to 14,000 hours of staff volunteering each year across its 7,000-strong workforce, with a focus on supporting local communities and environmental projects.

“Spending the day volunteering with Devon Wildlife Trust was an incredible experience,” said Dannielle Grigg, a National Grid Electricity Distribution volunteer.
“I wanted to support their work because protecting local wildlife and restoring natural habitats is essential for our environment and future generations. It was inspiring to see the impact of hands-on conservation in action!”

The effort also reflects the growing trend of collaboration between conservation organisations and the corporate sector in tackling climate and biodiversity crises. Claire Inglis, reserves officer at Devon Wildlife Trust, added: “We were delighted and very grateful to have the enthusiastic help from staff at NGED, who joined employees from other companies keen to support our work. Such volunteering is vital to help create and manage habitats like the temperate rainforest growing at Bowden Pillars.”

The reforestation project is part of the Bowden Pillars Future initiative, which aims to transform the site into a beacon for regenerative farming, habitat restoration, and low-carbon living.

Situated near areas of ancient woodland in the Dart Valley and close to the southern fringes of Dartmoor, Bowden Pillars Farm provides a unique opportunity to reconnect fragmented habitats and create a more climate-resilient landscape for wildlife and people alike.

With tree planting efforts like this and continued partnerships, the return of the UK’s ancient temperate rainforest — once feared lost — may well be within reach.