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Successful community groups selected to develop local nature restoration projects

The first 14 projects supported by the Neighbourhood Ecosystem Fund will kick start their local nature restoration projects this month.

Ecological surveys, wetland restoration, pond excavations, peatland restoration and biodiversity surveys are just some of the projects that will benefit from the £146,000 of funding. Additionally, each project will receive £1,500 to be spent on fundraising  to support the future development and growth of the projects.

The fund has been created with funding from the Carman Family Foundation, the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund, which is managed by NatureScot, and others. Inspiring Scotland is administering the funding.

Projects are located in 12 of Scotland’s 32 local authority areas with 8 in rural Scotland and 6 located in Scotland’s towns and cities.

Half of the funded projects will support freshwater or wetland habitats. These include activities such as restoration scoping, surveys to inform the removal of invasive non-native species in lochs, or to establish possible biodiversity improvements in community-owned ponds.

Easter Breich Wood Community Group in West Lothian will undertake an ecological survey to understand the steps required to support the aquatic, amphibian and invertebrate biodiversity of their pond and woodland.

Other projects will combine community engagement, training or upskilling. Uigshader Living Forest Project in Skye will explore the opportunities around community-led small-scale peatland restoration, creating new volunteering roles and demonstrating the potential for grassroots, locally led engagement.

Dumfries and Galloway based Loch Ken Trust received £9,875 as part of the work supporting the restoration of the Carlingwark Loch. Speaking about the project Trust Manager, Barnaby Fryer said:

“Carlingwark Loch is a green oasis in the heart of Castle Douglas which sadly over recent years it has suffered a decline. Loch Ken Trust is really excited to receive this funding, which will enable us to work with the community and other partners, to embark on a programme of restoration and enhancement. 

“We would like to thank everyone involved with the Neighbourhood Ecosystem Fund for the chance to restore Carlingwark Loch to benefit people and planet.”

Bill Carman, of the Carman Foundation, which catalysed the fund said:

“We established the fund because we knew that in communities across Scotland there was a real desire to be doing more to deliver ambitious ecosystem restoration projects locally.

“I am delighted that there has been such interest in the fund from a range of communities. With 59 applications received requesting £665,000 it is of course disappointing not to be able to support every project. 

“The Neighbourhood Ecosystem Fund also seeks to raise awareness about the importance of local ecosystem restoration and address some of the barriers faced by communities to undertake this work.  I look forward to monitoring the progress of each project and the difference being made.”

NatureScot’s Head of Biodiversity Dr Katherine Leys said:

“It’s great to see these community-led nature recovery projects getting underway with support from the Nature Restoration Fund. They join more than 170 other nature restoration projects that are putting Scotland’s precious habitats and species back on the road to recovery and helping tackle the nature and climate emergencies.”

Erica Judge, Director of Funds at Inspiring Scotland, said:

“The Neighbourhood Ecosystem Fund is filling a gap in the landscape by funding the development stages of locally-based ecosystem restoration. The response shows that there is very much an appetite and need for this work.”

“We hope that these initial projects will inspire other local groups to tackle local nature restoration projects in their local communities. We are delighted to be working with the Carman Foundation, NatureScot and others on this work.”  

This was the first year of the Neighbourhood Ecosystem Fund and we are looking to grow the fund. We are seeking investors interested in becoming a funding partner in the Neighbourhood Ecosystem Fund.  Please get in touch with nature@inspiringscotland.org.uk

Find out more about the Neighbourhood Ecosystem Fund