The Rain Fell Like Stars.
(Development project)
Overview.
Wales is home to one of Europe’s rarest and most overlooked ecosystems: the Celtic Rainforests. These temperate woodlands once stretched across the west of Britain, thriving in the wet Atlantic climate. Rich in biodiversity—home to ancient oaks, rare lichens, mosses, and woodland birds—they are among the most ecologically valuable habitats in the UK.
Over centuries, these forests were cleared for farming, timber, and grazing. Today, less than 1% remains. But science shows they can recover.
Conservationists and ecologists have mapped what survives and identified where these rainforests could return. With targeted action—removing invasive species, supporting native tree growth, and reconnecting fragmented habitats—restoration is not only possible, it’s already underway.
The Celtic Rainforests are not just a link to our natural heritage—they are a vital part of our future. With the right support, Wales can lead the way in bringing back its rainforests, making space again for nature, climate, and community to thrive.
Film.
The Rain Fell Like Stars is a short, powerful documentary that follows trail runners deep into the heart of some of Wales’ most magical ancient woodlands — the Celtic Rainforests.
These forests, draped in moss, soaked in mist, and alive with birdsong, are among the most precious and threatened habitats in the UK. But this isn’t a film about what we’ve lost. It’s a film about what we can still save — and even more than that, what we can restore.
Across the western hills of Wales, fragments of temperate rainforest still remain. They are beautiful, vital, and vanishingly rare. Yet they hold within them the seeds of renewal. Right now, we have a remarkable opportunity — not only to protect what survives, but to replant the lost trees, reconnect broken woodland, and rewild entire landscapes.
Through movement, storytelling, and science, The Rain Fell Like Stars reveals that rainforest restoration in Wales isn’t a dream. It’s already underway — led by communities, conservationists, and a growing wave of people who believe in a wilder, greener future.
This film invites us all to be part of that movement. To see what’s possible. To help bring the rainforests of Wales back to life.
“Wales’ rainforests are rarer, more fragmented, and more endangered than the Amazon. But we can bring them back.”
The Purpose.
THE PURPOSE: The purpose of this project is to call for the revival of Wales’ ancient Celtic rainforests—some of the most ecologically rich yet endangered habitats in the UK. These forests, found along the western hills and valleys of Wales, are remnants of a once-vast temperate rainforest that covered much of the Atlantic coast of Britain. We are urging the Welsh Government to commit to a bold Celtic Forest Restoration Project, rooted in scientific mapping and community leadership. This is a chance not only to protect what little remains, but to restore what was lost—to replant, reconnect, and rewild Wales’ rainforest landscapes at scale.
THE SCIENCE : The science behind restoration is clear and actionable. Ecologists have identified the surviving fragments and mapped the climatic conditions where these forests could thrive again. Tools like the Lost Rainforests of Britain map provide a blueprint for where to focus recovery. Conservationists already have proven methods for removing invasive species, supporting native regeneration, and monitoring ecosystem health. Restoration isn’t theoretical—it’s already happening in places like Eryri and Cwm Mynach, showing that, given the right support, these rainforests can return in our lifetime. We know how to do it. We just need the ambition to scale it.
THE GOALS: Reviving the Celtic Rainforests is also a major opportunity to support Wales’ Net Zero and climate resilience goals. These woodlands store significant amounts of carbon, regulate water systems, and provide cooling shade and flood protection in a warming world. Restoring them supports biodiversity, public health, sustainable tourism, and rural jobs—while directly contributing to national targets on nature recovery and carbon sequestration. In short, bringing back the rainforests of Wales is one of the most visible, accessible, and inspiring ways to show that climate action can work.
“Wales is one of the only places in Europe where true temperate rainforest still survives. Today, less than 1% remains.”
Film.
DURATION: 20 Minutes
FILM TEAM: Anturus Science StoryLab
LOCATIONS: Trail running footage captured across the Celtic Rainforest fragments in Eryri (Snowdonia) using cine cams and drones. On-location science storytelling with Huw James in Wales. Interviews and ecological insight from local conservationists and rewilding experts.
OUTPUT: A short outdoor adventure film that brings to life the science, history, and future of Wales’ Celtic Rainforests. Blending trail running with ecological storytelling, the film shows how these rare temperate woodlands can be restored with the help of science, community, and policy. This is not a story of loss, but of revival—and the powerful role that outdoor communities can play in bringing back Wales’ rainforests.
SCIENCE: The film is grounded in restoration ecology. Using detailed maps, species data, and field research, we explore how small fragments of rainforest can be reconnected, invasive species removed, and native habitats revived. The science behind temperate rainforest restoration is well established—this film communicates those methods in an engaging, accessible way, connecting evidence with action and showing that recovery is already underway.
PURPOSE: This project is a rallying cry to restore Wales’ Celtic Rainforests—some of the rarest ecosystems in Europe. By showcasing the beauty of what remains and the science of how to bring it back, we’re calling on the Welsh Government to launch a bold, national-scale Celtic Forest Restoration Project. The goal is to unite runners, conservationists, scientists, and communities in a shared mission: to bring back a wilder, greener Wales.
SHOWN: The film will be submitted to outdoor, environmental, and mountain film festivals, with potential for screenings at policy events and community rewilding projects. It will also be used in collaboration with restoration organisations, schools, and environmental campaigns to promote public engagement with nature recovery in Wales.
THE RAIN FELL LIKE STARS
The rain fell like stars on the green-tongued hills,
Silvered the old oaks, the bent-backed ferns,
And sang in the stone-lipped streams,
Where the fox, red as rust, licked the dark of the dawn.
The rain fell like stars on the bones of the wood,
On the moss-veined arms of the sleeping trees,
And the blackbirds split the sky with bells of breath,
While the roots dreamed their deep, slow prayers.
Oh, the rain fell like stars on the mouths of the rocks,
On the hearts of the hills, on the gullies’ green sigh,
And the runner ran, flesh and blood and breath,
Through the soft and holy drowning of the wood.
Time was a leaf, was a drop, was a flame,
Falling and falling in the hush of the mist,
And the world spun old, spun young, spun still,
As the rain fell like stars, and the forest stood.
“Woodland expansion is one of the most effective nature-based solutions to help Wales meet its Net Zero goals.”
“Temperate rainforests store more carbon per hectare than many other types of native woodland.”
Collaborators.
PATAGONIA.
Patagonia has long set the gold standard for environmental activism in the outdoor industry. With a legacy rooted in protecting wild places and telling stories that drive change, Patagonia is perfectly positioned to elevate this film’s mission—spotlighting the restoration of Celtic Rainforests and the role of outdoor athletes in advocating for climate action.
How Patagonia could be involved:
Gear Support
Provide high-performance trail running and weather-resistant gear for the film’s athletes and crew. The gear will be field-tested in the demanding conditions of temperate rainforests, aligning with Patagonia’s ethos of purposeful design and real-world function.Platform Amplification
Distribute the film, behind-the-scenes footage, and restoration stories through Patagonia’s social media, email campaigns, and The Cleanest Line blog. This aligns with Patagonia’s storytelling tradition and builds deeper connections with an audience already committed to climate solutions.Mission Integration
The film can support Patagonia’s ongoing environmental campaigns—whether it’s through a dedicated landing page, a digital impact tracker, or aligning the narrative with initiatives like We the Power, The Responsible Company, or Action Works.Community Events & Activism
Co-host public screenings followed by panel discussions on forest restoration, indigenous knowledge, and the responsibility of outdoor communities. These events can also serve as sign-up points for Patagonia Action Works, empowering audiences to take direct action.
COED CADW.
As the Welsh branch of the Woodland Trust, Coed Cadw has long been a leader in native woodland restoration and policy advocacy across Wales. Their work supports community planting, protects ancient woodlands, and helps shape long-term land use change — all aligning directly with the goals of this project.
How Coed Cadw could be involved:
On-screen expertise and guidance on native tree planting, forest resilience, and public engagement with woodland recovery.
Access to active restoration sites and community-led planting days for filming.
Distribution support through Woodland Trust Cymru’s newsletter, campaigns, and education networks.
Policy collaboration to tie the film’s call to action into existing advocacy work at the Senedd and local authority level.
NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN OF WALES.
Home to the Wales Rare Plants Project and a hub for botanical research and public education, the National Botanic Garden of Wales is well placed to contextualise the unique flora of the Celtic Rainforests and champion native woodland conservation.
How NBGoWcould be involved:
Expertise & On-Camera Insight: Appear in the film to explain the importance of rainforest species—like mosses, liverworts, and ferns—and the role of botanical science in rewilding.
Filming Location: Use the garden’s natural woodlands, research glasshouses, or herbarium as visually rich backdrops for explaining rainforest ecology and restoration science.
Public Engagement: Help distribute the film through their visitor network, schools programme, and public talks, strengthening the link between science and community outreach.
Interpretation Materials: Collaborate on physical exhibits or signage tied to the film's message, promoting woodland awareness on-site.
SIZE OF WALES.
A leading Welsh climate charity, Size of Wales connects people to reforestation and climate action through education, advocacy, and partnerships. They have a strong public presence and a commitment to restoring forests both at home and abroad — making them an ideal partner to amplify the message of the film.
How SoWcould be involved:
Co-delivering the campaign’s call to action, especially around the Celtic Forest Restoration Project.
Engaging schools and young people, using the film as a resource in climate education and Welsh Baccalaureate programmes.
Sharing the film across climate networks, especially in the run-up to international climate events like COP or Earth Day.
Hosting events or screenings that link global forest restoration with local action in Wales.
BANGOR UNIVERSITY.
Bangor is a leader in forest science, ecology, and sustainable land management, with researchers working directly on woodland restoration and Atlantic oak woodland ecology in Wales. Their scientific credibility and regional focus make them ideal partners for grounding the film in evidence-based restoration.
How Bangor Unicould be involved:
Scientific Contributors: Provide researchers or postgrads to appear in the film, explaining the ecology of Celtic Rainforests and the evidence behind their restoration.
Data & Mapping Support: Contribute scientific visuals, GIS mapping, or field data to support on-screen storytelling.
Student Engagement: Integrate the film into curriculum-linked workshops or community outreach events via the university’s environmental programmes.
Knowledge Exchange: Use the film as a springboard for wider collaboration between academia and policymakers on forest restoration in Wales.
LUMIX.
As a leader in professional filmmaking tools, Lumix’s camera systems are widely trusted by documentary filmmakers — especially those working in the outdoors. Their commitment to visual storytelling and innovation makes them a great technical partner for The Rain Fell Like Stars.
How Lumixcould be involved:
Providing camera support (e.g. S5IIX, GH6, or lenses) for high-quality field cinematography and trail-mounted filming rigs.
Behind-the-scenes content on how Lumix gear was used to capture the rainforests in challenging light and weather conditions.
Social media collaboration showcasing the film’s visuals and the gear that made it possible.
Sustainability storytelling alignment, by highlighting how filmmaking can contribute to environmental awareness and action.
THE OULTLINE
🎬 Prologue (0:00–3:00) – “The Rain Fell Like Stars”
Location: Coed Felenrhyd & Llennyrch (North Wales)
Visuals: Macro rain on moss, runners in silhouette, sun breaking through mist
Voiceover (Poetic):
“The rain fell like stars, and under ancient boughs, the land remembered.”
Piece to Camera (Huw James):
“You wouldn’t know it by looking, but this is one of the rarest ecosystems in Europe. A temperate rainforest — hidden in plain sight.”
Scientific Message:
These are Atlantic Oak Woodlands — characterized by high rainfall, mild temperatures, and unique biodiversity.
Celtic Rainforests once covered much of western Britain and Ireland. Now, over 90% is gone.
🌳 Chapter 1 (3:00–9:00) – “Once, the West Was Wood”
Locations:
Bangor University
Archival overlays of the Dyfi Valley, Snowdonia
Interviewees:
Dr. Matt Pickles, Bangor University (Forest Ecology)
Prof. Sophie Williams, Bangor University (Botanical biodiversity & ecosystem loss)
Science Content:
How these woodlands are defined by epiphytes (lichens, mosses, liverworts) and are more akin to forests in Chile and Japan than most of Britain.
Causes of decline: deforestation, sheep grazing, invasive species like rhododendron, industrial-era land use.
Piece to Camera (Huw, standing beside an ancient oak):
“These trees carry centuries of water and wind in their bark. But look closer — it’s what grows on them that tells the real story.”
Visuals:
Drone tracking deforestation over time
Comparison shots: lichen-covered oak vs. degraded grazing land
Old maps + new restoration overlays
Poetic Insert:
“A forest doesn’t fall all at once — it’s forgotten leaf by leaf.”
🧬 Chapter 2 (9:00–15:00) – “Living Archives”
Locations:
National Botanic Garden of Wales
Coed y Bont (restoration site)
Interviewees:
Dr. Natasha de Vere, Head of Science, NBGW
Rhodri Thomas, conservation officer at Coed y Bont
Citizen scientists (local school students or volunteers)
Science Content:
DNA barcoding of lichens and bryophytes to track biodiversity and restoration success
Bioindicators: Some lichens only thrive in clean air and stable ecosystems — their return marks forest health
Forests as carbon sinks: mature trees + soil = high sequestration rates per hectare
Lines to Camera:
“These forests are more than what we see. Their health is written in code — DNA. And sometimes, the smallest species are the loudest warnings.”
Visuals:
Macro of rare lichens and moss
Students collecting samples, hands in earth
Onscreen data: barcoded species, rewilding success metrics
🧭 Chapter 3 (15:00–21:00) – “A Forest Doesn’t End at the Edge”
Locations:
Cwm Clydach, RSPB site
Land on edge of plantation vs. wild forest
A long trail route across changing woodland
Interviewees:
Elinor Gwynn, RSPB Cymru
Gareth Ellis, Size of Wales
Farmer or landowner restoring land
Science Content:
Habitat connectivity: Importance of linking isolated forest patches
Mycorrhizal networks: how trees communicate and share resources
Invasive species management: rhododendron and sycamore outcompete native flora
Rainforest restoration supports wider UK biodiversity goals
Lines to Camera:
“A tree on its own can’t make a forest. And a patch of woodland can’t make a rainforest. Connectivity is everything.”
Athlete VO (Runner in forest):
“There’s a difference in the ground when you run through a healthy forest. It’s springy. Alive.”
Visuals:
Rhododendron removal team at work
Trail running through patchwork woods
Tree nursery vs. natural regrowth
🌱 Chapter 4 (21:00–27:00) – “Hope That Breathes”
Locations:
Community-led rewilding sites
Tree planting event
Return to each of the three forests in spring growth
Interviewees:
Coed Cadw Cymru (Woodland Trust Wales) rep
School teacher or youth leader on forest education
Size of Wales – how Welsh rainforests connect to global climate funding
Science Content:
Social restoration: forests improve community well-being
Forests and flood prevention in the Welsh uplands
Climate resilience: buffering biodiversity against hotter, wetter future
Lines to Camera (Huw watching a school tree-planting event):
“This is what restoration looks like. Not just trees. But people. Hope. Action.”
Poetic VO:
“They say rain remembers. Perhaps it remembers the forests it used to fall through.”
Visuals:
Kids planting, rain falling gently
Aerials of forest corridors forming
Seedling timelapse
✨ Epilogue (27:00–30:00) – “Let It Rain”
Voiceover (Poetic):
“Let it rain. Let it fall like stars. Let the forests rise again — leaf by leaf, root by root, breath by breath.”
Visuals:
Runners disappear into the mist
Close-ups of dew, leaves, fungi emerging
Final wide shot: a complete canopy under cloud
Call to Action (On Screen):
“The Celtic Rainforests of Wales are returning. Help them grow.”
[Website / QR Code / Social handles for Size of Wales, NBGW, Coed Cadw, Rab]
Example Project.
Downstream is a documentary film produced in collaboration with Protect Our Winters and Icebreaker. Our team at Science StoryLab handled the production, direction, filming, editing, and photography. The film explores the journey of water from glaciers to rivers, illustrating the impacts of climate change on these crucial ecosystems. It has been presented at venues like the EU Parliament, UNESCO, and the United Nations, and is Protect Our Winters Europe's flagship project for the International Year of Glaciers. We hope it contributes meaningfully to the conversation on climate action.
