Save Eas Mor Forest After Devastation Caused by Storm Éowyn

Hi, my name is John. I am Emeritus Professor of Sustainability and Complex Systems at the University of Glasgow, and I am fundraising for Eas Mor Ecology. This emergency fundraiser is intended to help buy materials and new trees to regenerate the forest and paths of Eas Mor that were destroyed by Storm Éowyn on 24th January.

For the past 21 years, the Eas Mor Ecology Charity has looked after a small glen on Arran that runs from the seashore to the "Big Waterfall," or Eas Mor in the Gaelic language, Arran's highest. The remnant rainforest and unique geology and biodiversity of the glen have been made accessible to the public by creating an extensive network of paths and bridges. The iconic log cabin library above the falls provides a quiet space to listen to the forest and read. Its walls and ceiling record decades of visitors' stories and children's drawings. Eas Mor has always been free to access and enjoy.

Unfortunately, in the early hours of January 24, 2025, hurricane-force winds from Storm Éowyn devastated the forest of Eas Mor. We estimate more than 25% of the trees have fallen. While the path to the library has been cleared and the library has been spared (it's made of wood and magic), much of the fencing is broken and parts of the path destroyed. The lower forest paths are inaccessible, and one of the bridges has collapsed under a large fallen tree. The storm has compounded the damage caused by the current tree disease epidemic, which is ravaging forests across the UK.

Whilst storms and diseases are part of nature, these problems are exacerbated by human activity, including climate change and ecosystem fragmentation, where habitats are confined to increasingly smaller remnants. This fragmentation makes it much harder for forests to recover naturally, and they need our help.

Please donate what you can to help restore access to this unique place and regenerate the forest for future generations to enjoy. All the funds will be used to purchase materials to repair paths and fences and buy locally sourced, disease-resistant native tree saplings for replanting. We aim to restore access to as much of the forest as possible by the summertime.

Here are some images from the forest after the storm