Storm Goretti Woodland Restoration Donation

In January 2026, Storm Goretti made its first landfall in Britain here on Scilly - and on islands with little land to soften such force, the impact was devastating.

Lifelong residents have called it the worst storm they have ever known - extraordinary not only for its ferocity, but for the suddenness and direction of its strike. Across the island, the damage was profound.

From Abbey Drive to Borough, from the Abbey Garden to the north end, around 500 trees were felled. The shelter belt along the Abbey Drive bore the brunt of the storm, sacrificing much to shield the Abbey Garden from even greater destruction. While much of our coastline and large parts of the Garden stood resilient, our woodlands suffered an immense and visible loss.

In the storm’s aftermath, our island teams - strengthened by friends who travelled from far and wide - have worked tirelessly to clear roads, reopen access and restore vital services. Their response was immediate and extraordinary.

Only after weeks of careful assessment have we fully understood the scale of what lies ahead, and after discussions with our insurers, it is clear that the clearance and replanting required will cost approximately £250,000.

In the days following the storm, we were deeply moved by the outpouring of support - calls, letters and messages from across the country. So many of you asked not only how we were, but how you could help.

For generations, these woodlands have held life’s most precious moments: first faltering steps, family celebrations, spaces of quiet reflection. They are not simply trees. They are memory, shelter, habitat, and heritage.

Today, as we begin the long work of restoration, we are proud to launch our Woodland Restoration Appeal.

This loss, while painful, gives us an opportunity to think boldly. To replant thoughtfully. To strengthen biodiversity. To design shelterbelts for a changing climate. To regenerate not just what was lost, but what could be.

Your donation will help us:

• Clear and make safe the affected areas, allowing us to safely reopen access to our woodlands to our guests and islanders
• Replant and regenerate our woodlands, not just for today, but for generations to come; to replant with care, to plan for sustainability, to create the shelterbelts of the future with the environment firmly in mind
• Build resilience and beauty for future generations of islanders and visitors

Ours may have been the first part of England touched by Storm Goretti. With your support, we can ensure we are also the first to turn recovery into renewal.

Many kind supporters have asked whether it might be possible to place commemorative plaques on newly planted trees. We fully appreciate this wish to create a lasting, personal connection with the woodland.

However, after careful consideration, we have decided not to place individual plaques on trees. We hope you understand our reasons.

Our foremost responsibility is to care for the island landscape sensitively. Attaching plaques to large numbers of trees would, over time, change the natural character of these special places and could affect the health and growth of the young woodland we are working so carefully to restore.

There is also a practical consideration. Trees planted today will take many years – a decade or more – before they are mature enough to bear a plaque. We would like to recognise your generosity far sooner than that.

Instead, we are exploring a way to honour all those who support the Woodland Restoration Appeal together, in a form that is lasting, meaningful, and in keeping with the spirit of the island. While we do not yet know exactly what this will be, we want to reassure you that every gift will be recognised in a public and meaningful way.

Thank you for helping us restore and regenerate these precious woodlands for generations to come.