Nature Restoration Programme
In July 2021 the Scottish Government launched the Nature Restoration Fund (NRF) providing funding to local authorities, known as the Edinburgh Process strand of the NRF. The fund remains a priority programme for Scottish Government and represents a significant investment. The world is in the midst of an interlinked climate and nature crisis. As a landowner, the council has the ability to really contribute to mitigate these impacts by making changes to how we manage our land.
Since the launch of the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy 2045 the NRF aims to catalyse action at scale to protect and restore Scotland’s biodiversity with a focus on outcomes which address the main drivers of the decline in biodiversity; over-exploitation of the natural environment and addressing its consequences; habitat loss, fragmentation and invasive non-native species.
The funding has five strategic themes:
- Habitats and species restoration
- Freshwater restoration
- Coastal and marine
- Control of invasive and non-native species
- Urban: enhancing and connecting nature
Funding also requires local authorities to begin to develop projects that will contribute to establishing Nature Networks in their area. The fourth National Planning Framework sets out the Scottish Government’s expectation that Nature Networks will be put into place in every local authority in order to enhance biodiversity and better connect areas for nature.
Our focus has been on improving and creating habitats for nature in our newly designated Local Nature Reserves; Chatelherault and Calderglen Country Parks; Mauldslie National Nature Reserve; and District Parks.
Different types of activity include:
- Creating wildflower meadows
- Enhancing and creating habitats
- Surveying and monitoring
- Tree planting
- Planting pollinator friendly shrubs and trees
- Developing plans for the future, for example Nature Networks
- Invasive plant removal, particularly rhododendron
If you would like to find out more about this programme, or make suggestions for biodiversity improvements please email us at cag@southlanarkshire.gov.uk.