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Over £30 million invested in restoration
projects
Around 150 projects across Scotland have received support from
the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund since its
launch in 2021.
More than £30 million has been invested to date, either directly
to projects and community groups or through Scotland’s 32 local
authorities and two National Parks.
The flagship fund, administered by NatureScot, aims to restore
species and habitats, protect marine and coastal areas, eradicate
invasive, non-native species, and improve the health and
wellbeing of local communities.
Biodiversity Minister visited the Pentland to
Portobello Greening Project to see works completed with
support from the Nature Restoration Fund. The project received a
grant of £201,556.42 to improve, connect and expand existing
green spaces in mostly deprived areas of Edinburgh.
Ms Slater said:
“I’m proud that since establishing the Scottish Government’s
Nature Restoration Fund at COP26 in Glasgow we’ve already
invested £30 million in projects large and small to protect and
enhance our rivers, land and seas. This is making an important
contribution to the goals established in Scotland’s new
Biodiversity Strategy to be nature positive and to reverse the
declines in nature.
“Right now, we’re consulting on the first 5-year Delivery Plan to
implement our Biodiversity strategy – along with proposals for
new targets for nature restoration that could be put into law, in
line with those for climate change. Biodiversity can help
mitigate against flooding, improve access to greenspace in our
urban areas: it is our best chance to adapt to climate change and
ensure a legacy for future generations.”
NatureScot Chair Professor Colin Galbraith said:
“The Nature Restoration Fund is vital in tackling the nature and
climate crises, with significant work taking place across the
country to help put nature back on the road to recovery. Flower
meadows, hedgerows and wetlands are being restored, creating
habitats for wildlife. Rivers are being returned to their natural
courses to reduce flooding, whilst large areas of Scotland’s
rainforest are being enhanced. We are incredibly proud to support
the work that individuals, communities, and organisations are
doing to help Scotland become a nature-rich, net-zero nation.”
Background
See NatureScot’s website
for a full list of projects that have been granted Nature
Restoration Fund funding
