Cornish Gems Charity of the Year 2026
Supporting The Thousand Year Trust
At the heart of Cornish Gems is our commitment to giving back to the communities and landscapes that make Cornwall so special.
As a certified B Corp, we believe business should be a force for good, creating positive impact for people, places and the planet.
Each year, our Charity of the Year initiative allows us to support a cause that reflects our values and deep connection to Cornwall. Over recent years, we have raised almost £27,000 for local and national charities, including Love Where You Are, Surfers Against Sewage, Cornwall Air Ambulance, Cornwall Wildlife Trust and Truro Foodbank. Last year, we proudly supported StreetVet, helping to raise awareness and funds for their incredible work providing free veterinary care and support to pets belonging to people experiencing homelessness.
For 2026, we are proud to support The Thousand Year Trust, a Cornwall-based charity dedicated to restoring and expanding the UK’s Atlantic temperate rainforests - one of our rarest and most biodiverse habitats.
We have chosen The Thousand Year Trust because their work reflects our deep connection to Cornwall’s landscapes and our commitment to helping protect them for future generations.
Below, you can learn more about The Thousand Year Trust’s fantastic work, including their plans to create Europe’s first temperate rainforest research station on Bodmin Moor, and discover how you can support this inspiring initiative that will inspire generations for years to come.
About The Thousand Year Trust
The Thousand Year Trust is the only charity in the UK dedicated solely to the restoration of temperate rainforest landscapes.
Inspired by the remarkable lifespan of the Sessile oak, a tree that can take centuries to grow, thrive and return to the earth, the charity believes meaningful environmental change requires long-term thinking.
Their mission is rooted in protecting and restoring one of Britain’s most magical and endangered ecosystems for generations to come.
What is a temperate rainforest?
Found along the western coasts of the British Isles, temperate rainforests are among the most biodiverse habitats in the UK.
Shaped by high rainfall, mild coastal climates and ancient woodland, these extraordinary ecosystems are home to moss-covered oak trees, rare lichens, ferns, fungi and an abundance of wildlife.
Unlike tropical rainforests, Britain’s temperate rainforests are quieter, softer and deeply atmospheric – vibrant and green in summer, misty and enchanting in winter.
Often hidden in Cornwall’s valleys and coastlines, they are an essential part of our natural heritage and a vital ecosystem worth protecting.
Europe’s first temperate rainforest research station
The Thousand Year Trust is currently building Europe’s first research station dedicated to Atlantic Temperate Rainforest restoration and science.
This pioneering space will bring together scientists, students, conservationists and innovators to better understand how these ecosystems function, and how they can be restored for the future.
At the heart of the station will be projects exploring biodiversity, climate resilience and groundbreaking restoration methods, including the cultivation of mosses and lichens to help support rainforest regeneration.
Through research, collaboration and education, the Trust is helping shape a more ecologically resilient future for Cornwall and beyond.
Why we're supporting them
At Cornish Gems, our connection to Cornwall’s landscape is at the heart of everything we do.
Supporting the Thousand Year Trust felt like a natural partnership, rooted in a shared love of this coastline, countryside and the ecosystems that make it so special.
This partnership also holds deep personal meaning for our team. Our Digital Content Specialist, Rachel, has a close connection to the Trust’s work through her brother William, whose passion for temperate rainforest restoration, Cornish wildlife and scientific innovation continues to inspire those around him.
Following his passing, his legacy lives on through the William Parkinson Living Laboratory, a dedicated research space on the roof of the new rainforest station.
How can you help
You can support The Thousand Year Trust by donating £2, £5, £10 or £25 towards our Charity of the Year fundraising efforts when making a booking with Cornish Gems.
Every donation will help support the restoration and protection of Cornwall’s temperate rainforests, funding vital research, conservation and education projects for future generations.
Together, we can help protect one of the UK’s rarest and most biodiverse landscapes.
Thank you for supporting this fantastic initiative.
