Trees for Life showcased its Affric Highlands youth engagement programme at Eden Court in Inverness at the beginning of July. The initiative is an exhibition of nature-inspired photography called ‘Portraits of Recovery’ which encapsulates Trees for Life’s vision of rewilding the Scottish Highlands.
The Portraits of Recovery exhibition features work created by young people from Invergarry Primary School, Kilchuimen Academy and NHS Highland Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). It was designed to encourage a creative way for children to be more active outdoors with nature at its core while also promoting rewilding and individual well-being benefits. Trees for life will also be launching a new Green Leadership Award alongside the exhibition which will bring more opportunities to young people of the area.
The young people’s photographs explore their connection to the local landscape, and how nature can help with their sense of wellbeing. Through nurturing these connections its hoped that they will be able to become nature champions within their communities, inspired by the physical and mental wellbeing benefits that rewilding brings. The success of the exhibition will also bring attention to Trees for Life and the rewilding work it does across the Scottish Highlands to conserve nature.
The communities within the Affric Highlands have all contributed to this event which is part of the inaugural Highland Climate Festival, bringing awareness to the work that is being done to protect the environment and nurture the wildlife there. Being community led, Portraits of Recovery aims to encourage open discussions of mental health with children and the appreciation and protection of Scottish wildlife.
Following the opening of the exhibition, Trees for Life and High Life Highland launched a new Highlands Green Leadership SCQF Award, adding an environmental strand to High Life Highland’s existing Youth Leadership programme. Its hoped this will also improve opportunities for young people interested in the exhibition and this topic