A groundbreaking plan is underway in Cornwall to build Europe’s first research center dedicated to the rare and fragile Atlantic temperate rainforest. Led by the Thousand Year Trust, the proposed £750,000 facility will be located at Cabilla, a rewilded former farm on Bodmin Moor. The goal is to boost research and awareness of these unique ecosystems, which survive only in small patches across western Europe and are known for their rich biodiversity and climate benefits.
The center will provide housing for researchers and students, laboratories for scientific study, and communal spaces to encourage collaboration. It will support investigations into how these forests store carbon, support wildlife, and help regulate climate. Fundraising efforts are in full swing, with support from charities, private donors, and even a high-profile rowing challenge led by 89-year-old explorer Robin Hanbury-Tenison to raise awareness. The project reflects a growing movement to protect and understand one of Europe’s most overlooked natural treasures. More