Showcasing project partners’ nature-based solutions which work to restore the planet, protect wildlife, and uplift communities
Cypress, CA – September 27, 2024– On World Tourism Day, the TreadRight Foundation, The Travel Corporation (TTC)’s not-for-profit arm, is launching the first segment of a new three-part video series, created in collaboration with its project partners, Trees For Life, GreenWave, and Rainforest Rescue. The series aims to educate guests and industry partners about the power of nature-based solutions in mitigating the climate crisis. Debuting this series with Trees for Life, the segment spotlights the charity’s efforts to rewild the Scottish Highlands and restore Scotland’s Caledonian forest through large-scale nature restoration programmes such as the Wild Pine Project. Rewilding is an effective means to support and benefit people, nature and climate.
The video features Sarah Kent, James Rainey and Caoimhe Keohane of Trees for Life, who provide insights into the ongoing restoration of Caledonian pinewoods, a crucial habitat for Scotland’s rare wildlife, where less than 2% remains of what was an estimated one million hectares of Scotland. Since partnering with Trees for Life in 2023, TreadRight’s funding has significantly advanced the Wild Pine Project, which is focused on mapping and assessing wild pine areas to restore, protect, and expand this life-supporting habitat. To date, the project has successfully surveyed 20 Wild Pine sites, a critical step in developing a restoration plan for the Caledonian forest.
“On World Tourism Day, we are honoured to showcase the incredible efforts of our TreadRight project partners with the launch of this video series. We hope it serves as a platform to educate travelers about the critical role of nature-based solutions to address climate change,” says Shannon Guihan, The Travel Corporation’s Chief Sustainability Officer and Head of TreadRight. “We are proud to share this journey with our committed partners who are helping to support our ambitious goal of achieving net zero GHG emissions by 2050,” she adds.
“Wild Pine sites are Scotland’s undiscovered pinewood treasures,” says Alan McDonnell, Head of Nature Restoration, Trees for Life. “As we look more closely at the landscape, we are finding clear evidence that remnants of ancient pinewoods are much more extensive than we previously recognized. Thanks to TreadRight’s support, we’re able to expand Scotland’s Wild Pine map and demonstrate the true scale of restoration possible for these special Scottish woodlands,” he adds.
The Dundreggan Rewilding Centre, a cornerstone of the rewilding strategy, attracted 29,000 visitors in its first year (2023) and is projected to welcome 39,000 visitors in 2024. Guests on select TTC brands such as Highland Explorer Tours, HAGGiS Adventures and Trafalgar can visit this centre on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience to explore ancient pinewood and unique juniper forest. The Centre engages local communities and visitors in the cultural history and ecological value of this ancient landscape.
To support TTC’s commitment to reaching net zero emissions by 2050, TreadRight refocused its efforts on supporting nature-based solutions that address the climate crisis and protect the planet’s biodiversity, bringing benefits to local communities and wildlife. To address Scope 3 emissions in Scotland’s tourism industry and to further TTC’s Climate Action Plan, TreadRight and TTC have established a partnership with The Travel Foundation and VisitScotland. This collaboration aims to support VisitScotland’s goal of becoming the world’s first net-zero destination.
The upcoming segments of the video trilogy will also spotlight USA’s GreenWave and Australia’s Rainforest Rescue, and their diverse approaches to nature-based solutions and significant contributions to addressing climate issues. Please follow the link to view the Trees for Life video and learn more about these initiatives: https://youtu.be/LDiYppo0QlY
About The TreadRight Foundation
TreadRight is a joint not-for-profit initiative established by The Travel Corporation. The foundation’s singular mission is to MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® by providing support to community-based projects worldwide that safeguard the planet, people and wildlife. To date, the foundation has supported 60+ sustainable tourism projects in 26+ countries worldwide. In 2022, The Travel Corporation became the first global tour operator with near-term, long-term, and net zero targets, and to support its journey to net zero, TreadRight shifted its focus to supporting nature-based solutions and conservation efforts that protect biodiversity and restore the planet. Current initiatives include Rainforest Rescue, Trees for Life’s Wild Pine project, Project Vesta, GreenWave, Rainbow Railroad, and The Tourism Pathways Project. To learn more about past and current work at TreadRight, please visit TreadRight.org and follow TreadRight on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and X using our hashtag #MakeTravelMatter
About The Travel Corporation
The Travel Corporation (TTC) is a global portfolio of 18 exceptional, market-leading travel brands, including the world’s number one escorted tour operator, Trafalgar; award-winning Uniworld Boutique River Cruises; premium guided vacation company Insight Vacations; youth travel specialists Contiki and Celtic travel experts Brendan Vacations among many others. After more than a century of blending transformative travel with extraordinary service, the venerable company remains committed to its signature ‘Driven by Service’ philosophy and to consistently delivering outstanding experiences and value to travellers, guests, and partners. For more information, please visit TTC.com.
About Trees For Life
Trees for Life is an award-winning environmental charity standing at the forefront of rewilding in the Scottish Highlands. Focusing on Scotland’s spectacular Caledonian forest, they are working on a grand scale to bring more life back to our landscapes. In 2023, they opened their Dundreggan Rewilding Centre, the first of its kind in the world, at their estate in Glenmoriston near Loch Ness. The rewilding centre is the perfect place to explore Scotland’s wild forest and experience rewilding in action. Together with communities, Trees for Life are restoring Scotland’s natural and cultural heritage while supporting local livelihoods. To learn more, please visit treesforlife.org.uk.