- Work with us
- Land stewards
Land stewards
- Businesses & individualsBusinesses & individuals
- CollaboratorsCollaborators
- Our projects
- About us
- Resources
Talla & Gameshope 2
Located in the heart of the Scottish Borders, the Talla & Gameshope 2 project is a vital step in the ecological restoration of this landscape. It is part of the ongoing efforts by the Borders Forest Trust to regenerate the land, enhance biodiversity, connect habitats, and sequester carbon.
Planted in 2018/19, this non-intervention woodland is allowing nature to take its course. After the initial planting, Talla & Gameshope 2 will be left to evolve on its own, with minimal human intervention, allowing natural processes to guide the growth of trees and plants.
Situated within the Talla & Gameshope Estate, this project builds on the ecological restoration vision that Borders Forest Trust has been working towards since 2004. The goal is to restore the land at a landscape scale, supporting biodiversity and enhancing natural habitats.
Before planting began, sheep were removed from the grazing land, enabling the area to recover naturally. Today, it supports significant biodiversity and wildlife, offering an expanding habitat for various species. This phase of planting complements the success of Talla & Gameshope Phase 1, further enriching the landscape and wildlife habitat. Special areas of open ground are carefully incorporated to protect valuable habitats, including calcareous flushes and scree outcrops in the Gameshope Linns, a designated Local Biodiversity Site.
This phase is set to sequester an estimated 11,842 tonnes of CO₂ over 100 years, according to Woodland Carbon Code-validated calculations.
Thank you to everyone who supported this project, helping to restore the landscape, enhance biodiversity, and take meaningful action on climate change.
Certified under the Woodland Carbon Code, the UK’s government-backed standard for carbon-funded woodland creation.
Species mix
0%
Birch
0%
Oak
0%
Rowan
0%
*Other
*Predominantly native broadleaves
Co-benefits
Biodiversity uplift
This project enhances the richness of local flora and fauna, supporting a healthier, more balanced ecosystem.
Habitat creation
This project creates and enhances vital habitats for native wildlife, supporting species that are rare, threatened, or unique to the local ecosystem.
Habitat corridors
This project reconnects fragmented habitats, allowing wildlife to move and thrive across previously isolated landscapes.
Cleaner water
This project filters and absorbs water, improving downstream quality for both nature and local communities.
Our involvement
Talla & Gameshope 2 is one of many projects we’ve worked on with Borders Forest Trust since 2011. This enduring relationship is grounded in mutual trust and a belief that sustained collaboration drives deeper, more lasting impact.
Step 1
Provided early funding
We committed to purchasing Talla’s carbon units at the point of planting, before official credit issuance. This pre-validation investment carried financial risk, as there was no certainty around how many PIUs would be issued or sold. But it enabled the project to move forward. Forest Carbon pioneered this funding model in the UK.
Step 2
Delivered WCC certification
We put the project through Woodland Carbon Code certification, compiling the necessary documentation and ensuring the process was smooth, accurate, and efficient.
Step 3
Found the right buyers
Once credits were verified, we connected them with organisations such as CGI and Viessmann, who were seeking meaningful ways to support UK-based climate solutions. Their investment enabled us to reinvest in the next generation of nature-based projects, keeping the momentum going for both climate and biodiversity gains.
Step 4
Ensuring long-term success
We continue to support the project through ongoing verification under the Woodland Carbon Code, helping ensure its climate and biodiversity benefits are realised well into the future.
Our long-standing partnership with Forest Carbon has made it easy for Borders Forest Trust to access the carbon market and use that income to help restore significant areas of native woodland and peatland. With Forest Carbon managing carbon sales, we can focus on our core mission: restoring natural habitats across southern Scotland.
Project status
Registered
Aiming for verification, but planting and verification are yet to occur.
Validated
Planted. An initial quality check has been carried out by a third party.
Verified
Meets Code standards, verified by an accredited assessor. Ongoing checks ahead.
Funded by
Want to back a project like Talla & Gameshope 2?
Talla & Gameshope 2 was made possible by businesses committed to restoring UK nature. If you're looking to make a similar impact, explore the projects you can support today.
