The Scottish Government has invested over £65 million in hundreds of projects across Scotland through its Nature Restoration Fund (NRF) since its establishment in 2021, supporting the recovery of the nation's species, woodlands, rivers, and seas. The success of the fund has led to a commitment in this year's Programme for Government to extend the NRF into 2026-27, enabling funding for a further round of multi-year projects aimed at meeting priorities set out in Scotland's Biodiversity Strategy.

Among the notable successes is the Highland Amphibians Reptile Project (HARP), which has significantly boosted the survival rate of the Highland Great Crested Newt from 2% to 13%. This breeding success facilitated the translocation of these rare newts, a feat believed to be a first in Europe.

Another impactful initiative involves the Scottish Entanglement Alliance (SEA), which is working to reduce the entanglement of whales and basking sharks in fishing equipment. Solutions currently being trialled could see entanglement for some species reduced by as much as 80%, while preserving low-impact creel fishing crucial for coastal communities.

Climate Action Minister Dr Alasdair Allan announced the £65 million achievement during a visit to the NRF-funded Brerachan Water Restoration Project near Pitlochry. He stated: "With more than 250 projects benefitting from the Nature Restoration Fund so far and our commitment to extend again this year, there can be no denying how serious we are about protecting and restoring our planet for future generations. This funding goes a long way in helping to tackle the twin nature-climate crises, working to restore Scotland's biodiversity at the same time as increasing our resilience to climate change, all while improving the health and wellbeing of local communities."


Praising the local project, Dr Allan added: "It's fantastic to see how the work that has been completed here at Brerachan not only enhances habitats by planting native riparian trees but also introduces meander bends to improve the river's connectivity to its floodplain. The benefits of projects like this will have a profound immediate effect on the local community but will continue to be felt for years to come."

Richard Lockett, Director of Lockett Agri-Environmental, which managed the Brerachan project, highlighted the fund's importance: "The Nature Restoration Fund was the key to the success of the Brerachan Water Restoration Project. The NRF funding enabled work to re-connect the Brerachan Water to its floodplain, restoring 25 hectares of outstanding, wildlife rich floodplain habitat." He explained that the design involved creating a chute channel, infilling sections of the existing open drainage network, and creating ponds and backwater features, successfully transforming a degraded floodplain into a rich wetland habitat that also aids in floodwater storage.

NatureScot Chair Professor Colin Galbraith commented on the fund's impact: "The Nature Restoration Fund has come at a critical time and made a real difference, supporting hundreds of projects to take positive action for nature. As a result of this funding, people have been restoring saltmarshes and wetlands, enhancing rivers, creating woodlands and removing invasive non-native species to help our plants and wildlife flourish."

He added: "Over the past four years much has been achieved, but with nature in crisis across Scotland there is still a great deal more to be done. We need to continue to invest in Scotland's nature to halt and reverse its decline, to build resilience to future climate shocks and to give people the opportunity to enjoy the many benefits that nature brings us. Let's make Scotland richer in nature by 2030."