Nature recovery projects share £800K

Managed by NatureScot, the £65 million Scottish Government fund supports projects to help tackle the nature-climate crises, working to restore Scotland’s biodiversity and increase resilience to climate change, while improving the health and wellbeing of local communities.

More than £40 million has been awarded through the fund since its launch in 2021, including to more than 170 projects through the competitive scheme run by NatureScot. Now a further nine projects are being supported to develop their plans for nature recovery.

Moray Farm Cluster is a farmer-led initiative of 15 land holdings covering more than 14,900 acres who are working together to reverse the decline of biodiversity while increasing climate and economic resilience and famer wellbeing. By improving, extending and connecting habitats on their farms they are making space for nature alongside food production. The project will receive £184,826.

Forth Rivers Trust is being awarded a total of almost £265,000 for three projects which will upscale existing works to revive the Allan Water, restore the Kelty Water and Upper Forth, and tackle invasive, non-native species such as American skunk cabbage and signal crayfish throughout the Forth catchment.

Butterfly Conservation will be working with landowners in Highland Perthshire to help the recovery of rare butterflies and moths. They will be assessing the status and habitat condition in core areas and then planning and costing a range of solutions to help boost these vulnerable species. The project is being awarded £21,840.

Acting Net Zero Secretary Gillian Martin said:

“Scotland's natural environment is key to addressing the twin crises of nature loss and climate change. These projects will bring benefits to their local area and help us restore natural habitats and preserve our biodiversity.”

NatureScot Chair Professor Colin Galbraith said:

“Nature restoration projects can and do require a significant amount of preparation and planning before groundworks begin. This development work can be costly and time consuming, however well planned and prepared projects are the bedrock of successful nature recovery.

“The Nature Restoration Fund provides vital development funding to projects, such as those being announced today, so that they can maximise the benefits and positive impacts for nature, by restoring habitats and species in the most sustainable and cost-effective ways.”

Other successful projects in this round of awards include:

• Mossy Earth’s Cromarty Seascape project aims to support national efforts to restore Scotland’s vital seagrass meadows by identifying knowledge gaps and exploring the best field methods and techniques to enhance the success of future seagrass restoration programmes.

• The Atlantic Salmon Trust is developing a sustainable, locally owned habitat and species restoration project on Lewis. The Watershed Connections – Laxay project will gather all the information needed for freshwater restoration, enhancement and improved connectivity in rural catchments.

• Nevis Nature Networks seeks to improve the habitat and species on and around Ben Nevis. Led by the Nevis Landscape Partnership they aim to restore Caledonian pine wood, temperate rainforest and montane scrub – some of which have suffered due to the popularity of Ben Nevis as a visitor destination. The partnership will use that popularity to encourage people to enjoy nature while reducing their impact on sensitive habitats.

• Led by The Dupplin Trust 2000, the Methven Moss Restoration project will carry out preparations to inform future groundworks to protect and restore Methven Moss lowland raised bog in Perthshire.