We are joined for our first Confluence podcast in our 30th anniversary year by Merlin Hanbury-Tenison from The Thousand Year Trust. The charity is dedicated to bringing Atlantic Temperate Rainforests to life across the south west and the UK.

Merlin shares his passion for this type of forest and the benefit to the health and well being of both ecosystems and humans they provide.

We learn the fascinating fact that the ancient woodland on the land where he grew up on Bodmin Moor is around 3 to 4,000 years old; how these habitats sequester carbon and hold an abundance of biodiversity; and about the umbrella term 'temperate rainforests' and how they can differ globally but what trees and flora we are most likely to find in our region.

Merlin also shares his views on topics such as nature friendly farming; eco system services; agroforestry; the impact of non-native species on island environments; keystone species such as beavers; landscape recovery; and his charity's plans to create Europe's first temperate rainforest research centre at The Thousand Year Trust's HQ in Bodmin.

Listen along to find out more and visit the links below.

The Thousand Year Trust

Cabilla

South West Rainforest Alliance

Westcountry Rivers Trust is keen to see Cabilla's and the 1000 Year Trust's progression in the coming years. At the time of the podcast recording, our charity is offering assistance to Merlin in the form of soil analysis and nutrient management advice.