The project will see around 28,000 trees planted across the landscape, transforming lower-grade farmland into one of the rarest and most ecologically valuable habitats on Earth. 

January saw the first tree planted by Labour MP for South East Cornwall, Anna Gelderd, alongside Merlin Hanbury-Tenison, a trustee of Cornwall Wildlife Trust. A second planting session was supported by ‘Friends of Kilminorth Woods’, a local community group. The final public planting session welcomed enthusiastic pupils from Polperro Primary Academy getting their hands dirty, the first children to plant trees as part of the new rainforest. 

With support from Aviva, the UK’s only diversified insurer, as part of a long-term national partnership, and from Cornwall Wildlife Trust supporters and members who gave generously to the recent Temperate Rainforest Appeal, around 4,500 trees will be planted at the site this winter alone. Specialist contractors Top Notch Trees are carrying out much of the heavy work, with tree species including oak, hazel, birch, rowan, willow and alder. Planting is being carried out at varying densities to mimic natural woodland structure rather than conventional plantation layouts.  

The West Muchlarnick restoration is one of several rainforest sites being brought back to life across the British Isles, as part of the Aviva-funded Temperate Rainforest Programme, led by The Wildlife Trusts. Spanning more than 50 years, the programme aims to restore habitat, capture carbon, improve water quality and help reduce flood risk for local communities. 

Alison Smith, Temperate Rainforest Project Manager at Cornwall Wildlife Trust, said: 

“Seeing the first trees go in the ground, and especially planting with local children, is a surreal and wonderful moment. The children who’ve been planting with us will be adults, maybe with families of their own, around the time these trees reach maturity. Over the next 10-20 years the trees will become a woodland, and the lichens, mosses and ferns that are so characteristic of temperate rainforest, will begin to colonise.” 

Pupils from Polperro Primary Academy, including the school’s gardening and ‘Planet Protectors’ clubs, joined the Trust for planting, building on a George Orwell themed creative nature project, which explored the writer’s connection with Polperro and inspired the children to engage more deeply with local wildlife. 

Anthea Hillman, Headteacher at Polperro Primary Academy, said: 

“When Alison first told the children there was a temperate rainforest just ten minutes from school, they were amazed. Planting the first young trees really brought it to life. It’s right on their doorstep, it’s real, and they feel part of it. We hope that this experience will help build their curiosity and shape their connection with nature for years to come.

“We’re delighted that pupils will return in summer for biodiversity surveys and ongoing monitoring as the new habitat begins to develop, allowing them to stay connected.” 

The restoration will support wider natural flood management measures, such as expanding wetland areas and slowing water flow through the catchment. Recent years have seen significant flooding and waterlogging in neighbouring fields, and the Trust’s hydrological monitoring will demonstrate how the new woodland helps reduce runoff over time. 

The project also includes carbon monitoring, species surveys and long-term site management. Trees are only being planted on lower-grade agricultural land, with key grassland areas retained for biodiversity and grazing. 

Anna Gelderd, Member of Parliament for South East Cornwall, said: 

“It’s a real honour to be part of the first trees going into the ground. Standing in a muddy field on a rainy day is very different from being in House of Commons, but projects like this are exactly why I became an MP. 

“There are many issues I’m passionate about working on for our community, but restoring nature and creating healthier landscapes for the future is right at the top of my list. It’s fantastic to see local people coming together to plant trees, and to hear about the vision for this rainforest.”