Inverness projects to benefit from a share of more than £230,000 as Highland Council's Highland Nature Restoration Fund (NRF) awards are announced

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More than £230,000 has been recently awarded through the Highland Nature Restoration Fund to projects that will aim to enhance biodiversity against the challenge of climate change.

The Highland Nature Restoration Fund (NRF) is a new fund, established by the Scottish Government and administered by The Highland Council, designed to help support projects that will deliver nature restoration, safeguard wildlife, and tackle the causes of biodiversity loss due to climate change.

Grants between the value of £2500 and £20,000 have been awarded to 27 successful organisations throughout the Highlands that met the funding criteria.

Projects approved include the creation of 13 new wildflower meadow sites, 17 tree planting initiatives, 7 areas of wetland creation or new wildlife ponds alongside projects to remove invasive non-native species and those that will enhance habitat for protected species.

Successful applicants include Kyle and Lochalsh Community Trust (KLDT) who are to receive £12,592 towards their Re-Wetting the Plock project which will establish a wetland area at the Western Plock and allow the trust to undertake wildflower planting.

Fiona Wellings, KLDT trust manager “Our desire is for the Plock to become a hub for the village of Kyle and surrounding area. Receiving this grant from Highland Council will enable us to diversify and improve our freshwater habitats, creating spaces that are currently unavailable for wildlife, and which we hope will stabilise our freshwater environs into the future. We envision a richness of life in our ponds in years to come.

"Improvement of our Plock habitats is a priority for us, as by having this natural space that is home to a wide variety of plants and animals, we increase the opportunities for people to connect with nature at their own pace.

"Through our work we have restored a wildflower meadow, carried out tree planting, invasive species control and installed wheelchair-friendly paths.

"On the Plock children can participate in Forest School, and adults are given the opportunity to learn about growing vegetables or become a conservation volunteer. We also provide people with the tools to learn about less tangible things, such as how to slow down, how to connect with nature, and how to find peace of mind from being outside.”

Councillor Trish Robertson, the chairwoman of Highland Council’s Climate Change Committee, said: “I am glad that we opened the fund up to be accessible to external organisations, and the fact that demand for funding was so high shows that people all over Highland are mobilising themselves to take local action against the climate crisis.

“I would like to congratulate all the successful applicants. The projects they put forward were imaginative and well presented with clear biodiversity outcomes.

"Although all very different, they shared the goal of being proactive and taking action to improve our environment that will benefit generations to come. The hard work starts now and I wish all the groups every success as they turn their ambitions into reality.”

The funding awards include:

• Abriachan Forest Trust – £17,500;

• Aigas Community Forest – £7000;

• Aultnaskiach – £2500;

• Avoch Primary Parent Council – £10,506.75;

• Boleskine House Foundation – £9100;

• Broadford and Strath Community Council – £10,750;

• Butterfly Conservation Scotland – £7976;

• Camuscross and Duisdale Initiative – £14,041;

• Culloden Community Council – £3500;

• Friends of Merkinch Local Nature Reserve – £4750;

• Gairloch Area Development – £13,250;

• Glenfinnan Community Facilities – £2500;

• Grantown Health Woodland – £2731;

• Highland Council (Tree planting) – £10,000;

• Highland Council (Foyers Falls Habitat Restoration) – £11,720;

• Isle of Eigg Heritage Trust – £4055;

• Kentallen and Duror Community Centre – £19,500;

• Kyle and Lochalsh Community Trust – £12,592.66;

• Mallaig Community Council – £3115.48;

• Minginish Community Hall Association – £2500;

• Rum Community Association – £2530;

• Scotland: The Big Picture – £14,984;

• Spey Catchment Initiative – £10,202;

• Speyside Fields for Wildlife – £2500;

• Strathpeffer Residents Association – £2500;

• Visit Inverness Loch Ness – £8000.

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