Rainforests, wildcats and some of Scotland’s most threatened plant species are among the projects set to benefit from a £5.2 million funding boost aimed at reversing nature loss and tackling the impacts of climate change across the country.
The funding has been awarded through the Nature Restoration Fund, with NatureScot supporting 13 projects spanning the Highlands, the Lothians, Dumfries and Galloway, and beyond, as part of a wider national effort to restore ecosystems and strengthen biodiversity.
One of the largest awards has gone to the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, which has received just over £400,000 to build on the success of the Saving Wildcats partnership, supporting a fragile new population of wildcats in the Cairngorms by tackling ongoing threats and continuing carefully managed releases.
In Morvern, Ardtornish has been awarded £600,000 to restore 12,000 hectares of upland, rainforest and coastal habitat through its Tir Àlainn na Mara, or Beautiful Land of the Sea, project, using innovative approaches such as drone seeding and conservation grazing to reconnect habitats from summit to seabed.
The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh has received £491,000 to extend its Scottish Plant Recovery Project, helping to safeguard ten threatened plant species by creating large, genetically diverse seed banks and reintroducing them to carefully selected sites in partnership with landowners across Scotland.
In the south west, Dumfries and Galloway Woodlands has secured £68,817 to establish a Wood Wide Network, working with local communities to improve the extent, quality and connectivity of native woodland and strengthen its long-term ecological value.
Since its launch in 2021, more than £65 million has now been awarded through the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund, supporting over 250 projects aimed at addressing biodiversity loss, restoring damaged habitats and developing green skills and employment.
Climate Action Secretary Gillian Martin said:
“Sustained investment is a key condition for the success of our Biodiversity Strategy’s aim of protecting Scotland’s natural environment, addressing biodiversity loss, nature restoration and climate change.
“That is why we have extended the NRF to ensure that there is no delay in our efforts.
“The projects receiving this additional funding will, of course, benefit local areas and wildlife by restoring the environment and supporting green jobs and skills development, but they will also help us in the global fight against climate change and biodiversity loss.”
NatureScot Chair Professor Colin Galbraith said:
“We are incredibly heartened to see the energy, enthusiasm and commitment that so many people are showing towards restoring Scotland’s nature, and we are proud to be supporting these vital projects.
“We are amid a nature and climate crisis, but by working together and taking positive action for nature now, we can have real hope for the future.”
