Forests, Futures, and the Climate Crisis with Donald McPhillimy
I first recorded an episode of Making The Difference with Donald McPhillimy in his ‘sitootery’ in his beautiful lush garden in the Scottish Borders.
Donald has been self-employed for most of his life, but has been committed to changing our landscape as we know it.
Did you know that though Scotland’s hills and mountains are beautiful, they have been denuded over hundreds of years. His drive is to change that landscape and bring back trees and the biodiversity that goes with it.
He started his life in ecological based forestry. We have climate change, but we also need to address long-term biodiversity goals. This led him to co-founding movements that address this, notably Reforesting Scotland, and Greener Melrose.
In this episode of "Making the Difference," we discuss how Donald, has quietly transformed Scotland's environment over decades and being involved with rewilding efforts and ecological restoration.
Key Takeaways:
- The long-term vision required in forestry versus the urgent nature of climate action.
- How small actions contribute to significant environmental change.
- Insights into successful grassroots rewilding movements like Carrifran Wildwood.
Donald's story is one of resilience and vision—balancing practical hands-on forestry work with broader campaigning efforts aimed at long-term ecological restoration. His journey underscores both the urgency of addressing current climate emergencies as well as nurturing biodiversity patiently over time.
Interesting links:
Reforesting Scotland – Restoring the land and the people
Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1SeqnDPUXQo8Dzn3eu2fa1?si=Set8Oy20SbSTQJumpXMa_Q
Sign up to our newsletter, with updates from Making The Difference podcast, The Brave Collective and Soloco.
Newsletter: https://sendfox.com/lp/m26vrn
