John Muir Trust facts for kids
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| Formation | 1983 |
|---|---|
| Type | charitable NGO |
| Headquarters | Pitlochry |
| Website | John Muir Trust website |
The John Muir Trust (JMT) is a Scottish charity that helps protect wild places. It was started in 1983. Their main goal is to keep wild land safe for everyone to enjoy. The Trust runs a special award program, looks after several natural areas, mostly in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, and works to make sure wild land is better protected. In 2017, they also started managing Glenridding Common in the Lake District, England.
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What the John Muir Trust Does
The John Muir Trust was created in 1983 by Denis Mollison, Nicholas Luard, Nigel Hawkins, and Chris Brasher. The group was inspired by John Muir, a famous conservationist born in Scotland. He was a key figure in protecting nature, especially in the USA. There, he worked to save places like Yosemite National Park.
Because of John Muir's work, the Trust has links with the Sierra Club. John Muir himself started the Sierra Club in California in 1892.
The Trust has over 11,000 members. They work to teach people about the importance of wild land. They also campaign to protect these areas. Sometimes, they challenge building plans that might harm a wild place. In 2014, the Scottish Government used the Trust's Wild Land Areas map in its planning rules.
In February 1997, a new environmental award scheme began. It was called the John Muir Award. This award has become very popular over the years.
John Muir's Childhood Home
In 1998, the Trust worked with other groups to form the John Muir Birthplace Trust. These groups included East Lothian Council and local Dunbar groups. The next year, they bought John Muir's Birthplace at 126 High Street, Dunbar.
They turned this house into a special center. It tells the story of John Muir's early life in Dunbar. This is where he first learned to love wild places and animals.
In 2013, the Trust opened the Wild Space visitor center. This center is located in Pitlochry, below their main offices.
Looking After Wild Land
The John Muir Trust owns and manages some of Scotland's most beautiful wild areas. These are mainly in the highlands and islands. Besides protecting the views, the Trust works to bring back natural habitats. They also help native animal and plant species grow. They work with local people and communities. Their goal is to help everyone understand and appreciate wild places more.
In Perthshire, the Trust fixed and improved the main path to the top of Schiehallion mountain. They have also done major repair work on other paths. These include the Steall Gorge path in Glen Nevis and paths at Sandwood Bay in Sutherland. They also worked on Blà Bheinn and Druim Hain on Skye, and Suilven in Assynt. In many places, they work to protect and restore ancient woodland and native woodlands.
Places the Trust Manages
- The south side and top of Ben Nevis. This is the highest mountain in the British Isles.
- Glenlude, near Traquair in the Scottish Borders.
- Li & Coire Dhorrcail, on the north coast of the Knoydart peninsula.
- Quinag, a mountain with three peaks in Assynt.
- Sandwood Bay, in north west Sutherland.
- East Schiehallion in Highland Perthshire. This includes the mountain top and its main path.
- Strathaird, Torrin and Sconser on Skye. These areas include the Red Cuillin and part of the Black Cuillin mountains.
Working with Others
The John Muir Trust owns the Ben Nevis Estate. This means they play a big part in the Nevis Partnership. This group looks after Ben Nevis and the wider Nevis area. This includes Glen Nevis and the path to the North Face of the mountain.
The Trust helped start the Knoydart Foundation. This group bought the 17,000-acre (69 km2) Knoydart Estate in 1999. This purchase helped bring the "rough bounds" into community and conservation ownership. The Trust is also part of the North Harris Trust. This group aims to manage the North Harris Estate in a way that helps nature and people.
In 2005, the Trust bought the Quinag Estate in Sutherland. They also joined the Assynt Foundation. This helped the Foundation buy and manage the nearby Glencanisp and Drumrunie Estates.
The Trust has also supported the Carrifran Wildwood project. This project was started by the Borders Forest Trust. In 1999, the Wildwood group bought land in the Carrifran valley. This is in the Moffat Hills of Southern Scotland. They have started to regrow a large area of wild woodland. This area will be used for learning and education.
At the end of 2017, the Trust signed a three-year agreement. This agreement allows them to manage Glenridding Common in the Lake District. This area includes most of Helvellyn, which is England's third highest peak. It also includes Striding Edge and Red Tarn.
The John Muir Award
The John Muir Trust started an environmental award program in 1997. The John Muir Award encourages people of all ages to enjoy and care for wild places. This award is free and open to everyone. It is not a competition and is very flexible.
The Trust works with many groups across the UK to offer the Award. These partners include schools, outdoor clubs, environmental groups, and charities. In Scotland, the award is part of the Curriculum for Excellence. It is offered in all 32 local areas.
The John Muir Lifetime Achievement Award is given out sometimes. It honors people who have done amazing work to protect and enjoy wild land. People who have received this award include:
- 2000 Tom Weir, a mountaineer and TV presenter
- 2004 Adam Watson, an ecologist, mountaineer, and writer
- 2006 Doug Scott, a mountaineer
- 2008 Irvine Butterfield, a writer, photographer, and mountain lover
- 2018 Larry Downing, an American environmental campaigner
See also
- Glamaig, Isle of Skye
- Ladhar Bheinn, Knoydart
- John Muir Way
