Highland Council invites community bids for nature restoration fund in wake of 'huge success' of previous initiative to help tackle climate change

Community groups can bid for up to £25,000 for nature restoration and biodiversity projects.

Councillors on the economy committee welcomed a plan to fund community projects and to “lead by example” on council land.

The Scottish Government’s £55 million Nature Restoration Fund runs for four years, from 2021 to 2025. The fund aims to restore wildlife habitats on land and the seabed, while tackling biodiversity loss and climate change.

The investment includes a competitive funding element run by NatureScot and £5 million going direct to councils.

Last year, Highland Council invested some of its share into a greenspace mapping plan, which identified council land that could be used to create and restore wildlife habitats.

Highland Council hopes to expand that work in the years ahead, with projects such as wildlife corridors, community growing, tree planting and wildflower meadows.

At the same time, the council has agreed to reopen its community grant fund. Officers say last year’s fund was a “huge success” with clear appetite for nature restoration projects across the Highlands.

In the first round, the council awarded £200,000 to 28 community groups. Together, they delivered 13 wildflower meadows, 17 tree planting initiatives, seven wetlands and ponds and a range of projects to protect native wildlife.

Councillor Sarah Fanet welcomed the funding, but called for more projects to restore the seabed as well as the coastline and land.

Cllr Duncan Macpherson picked up the point, highlighting that the Highlands has a longer coastline than the whole of France.

Further information on the Nature Restoration Fund can be found on the Highland Council website.

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