Recruitment for the Dundreggan Rewilding Centre creates new opportunities in Glenmoriston

Rewilding charity Trees for Life has today launched a recruitment drive to support its new Dundreggan Rewilding Centre opening in March next year. The centre will create more than 20 new jobs that will support a range of educational activities and events for visitors, including a footpath network, a café and opportunities to stay overnight in on-site accommodation.

Part of the Trees for Life flagship rewilding estate in Glenmoriston, the centre is the first of its kind in the UK and will allow visitors to experience rewilding in action and explore one of the few remaining parts of Scotland’s ancient Caledonian forest.

Three careers drop-in sessions will be taking place between 10 am and 2 pm on 10 November at Fort Augustus Village Hall, 17 November at Glenurquhart Village Hall and 1 December at Glengarry Community Hall. The sessions will offer an informal opportunity to find out more about the Rewilding Centre and the roles available.

Centre Director, Ian Richards, said: “The Rewilding Centre will be a place where nature and people can thrive, and we are now recruiting a team who will help us to deliver an authentic experience for our visitors that helps them to reconnect with nature and leave inspired to engage with rewilding. In return, we offer a welcoming and supportive working environment with flexibility, training and plenty of opportunities to learn and grow.”

The centre offers full-time, part-time and seasonal roles in visitor experience, hospitality, education and facility management. People with all levels of experience are welcome to attend the information sessions, especially those who live in the local area.

Ian added: “It’s a really exciting time to be joining Trees for Life and we hope the opening of the centre will not only boost the rural economy but also benefit the local community with new jobs, more visitors to the area and a multi-purpose space that can be utilised year-round by schools, community groups and local people.”

Trees for Life has been rewilding Dundreggan since it purchased the former sporting estate in 2008. Over 4,000 species of plants and animals have been found there, with golden eagles regularly seen flying over the estate. Dundreggan is also home to the charity’s acclaimed nursery, which grows tens of thousands of native trees each year.

Next year marks the 30th anniversary of Trees for Life, whose work to rewild the Scottish Highlands includes the protection and creation of native Caledonian forest and the reintroduction of missing species, such as the red squirrel.

Full details of all vacancies can be found on the Trees for Life website: treesforlife.org.uk/jobs

The Dundreggan Rewilding Centre is generously supported by the Natural and Cultural Heritage Fund (NCHF), led by NatureScot and funded through the European Regional Development Fund; the National Lottery Heritage Fund; Bòrd na Gàidhlig; The Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Program; SSE Sustainable Development Fund; Audemars Piguet Foundation; Improving Public Access Fund; FERN Community Funds; Fort Augustus Community Council; Highlands & Islands Enterprise; and Garfield Weston Foundation.