It’s been a busy few months here at ACT, with visits, new projects, events and some brilliant additions to our team. Here’s a quick round-up of what’s been happening, and what’s coming next.

Jenni Minto MSP visits Kilmory Hub

We were delighted to welcome Jenni Minto MSP to our ACT Hub in Kilmory last month. She heard from the team about our wide range of projects – from MAKI Pups Outdoor Nursery and the Argyll Bicycle Hub, to our peatland restoration work and plans for a native tree nursery.

She also learned more about our Our Rainforest Futures project with Plantlife Scotland, and the ongoing work to remove invasive rhododendron at Knapdale. Jenni was especially taken with Kilmory Walled Garden and has kindly offered a letter of support for our proposals there.

Big Give Christmas Challenge, double your impact for Argyll’s rainforest and communities

Our rainforest work will be at the heart of this year’s Big Give Christmas Challenge – the UK’s largest online match-funding campaign. Scotland’s temperate rainforest is one of the world’s rarest habitats, home to incredible biodiversity but under real threat from invasive species, overgrazing and climate change.

We’re collecting pledges now, every pledge will help double donations during campaign week. The deadline is 5pm, Friday 29 August.

Peatland ACTION projects approved 

All three of our Peatland ACTION funding applications for this year have been approved, fantastic news! Four projects will go ahead this winter across Islay, Kintyre and West Cowal, restoring nearly 500 hectares of degraded peatland using proven techniques such as drain blocking, bunding and reprofiling bare peat.

Healthy peatlands store carbon, improve water quality, and provide vital habitats for wildlife. We’ll share more updates, and photos, as work gets underway.

New Faces at ACT

We’ve welcomed some brilliant new team members:

• Josh Leckie – Rainforest Supervisor, supporting our native woodland restoration work.

• Callum Robertson & Andrew Avison – Rainforest Squad trainees, fresh from passing their chainsaw training.

• Jo Wheeler – ABCAN’s Climate Action Hub Community Coordinator.
  And… a new Peatland ACTION Officer will be joining soon, watch this space!

Other Highlights

• Gold Carbon Literate Organisation: ACT is now one of only a few organisations in the UK to achieve this UN-recognised accreditation.

• Meet Lochgilphead’s new Junior Foresters: Primary 6 pupils have completed the Scottish Junior Forester Award.

• Peatland Events on Islay: from art workshops to Gaelic Walk and Talks.

• MAKI Pups Holiday Club: summer fun outdoors with clay creatures, pond dipping and pancakes over the campfire.

• JPMorgan Volunteering Day: a hardworking team from Glasgow helped at Kilmory.

• Benmore Botanic Garden visit: sharing plant stories and history in the Walled Garden.

• ACT On The Road: meeting communities at Tayvallich Gala, Kintyre Show and the Mid-Argyll Show.

📬 Want the full details?
Read our August newsletter in full here: ACT Newsletter August 2025