Latest news with #LandscapeConnections

The National
2 days ago
- The National
£1m in funding announced for Scottish coastline restoration
The Solway Coast and Marine Landscape Connections Project (Scamp) will receive £1.4 million in funding, which will see natural habitats restored along the Dumfries and Galloway coast. The Scamp scheme will be delivered over 10 years, and five key habitats, including seagrass meadows, native oyster reefs, salt marsh, coastal woodland, and sand dunes, will be prioritised. The project will also see 120 miles of new coastal trails created, with 10 seaside 'gateway' sites developed. REA MORE: John Swinney defends 'two-horse race' comments after by-election loss to Labour Panels along the coast and trails will also be installed, allowing people to learn more about the Solway Firth and the surrounding area. Karen Morley, Scamp programme manager, welcomed the funding, adding it will help the team make a 'real impact' in their restoration efforts. 'It is rare for a nature restoration project to attract this level of investment over a prolonged period of time,' she said. 'But it is also essential for this ambitious innovative programme of work to be delivered by ourselves and our partners and ensure we can make a real restorative impact on our Solway land and seascape.' Scamp is the first project to secure support through the National Lottery Heritage Fund's (NLHF) £150m Landscape Connections initiative. The project is the first of around 20 across the UK which will benefit from the funding aimed at boosting nature recovery, helping rural economies, and attracting more visitors. NLHF chief executive Eilish McGuinness said it was the 'perfect project' to start the initiative. (Image: Cumbria Tourism) She said: 'The Solway Firth's rich natural heritage has supported communities along its length since the earliest settlement. 'The heritage of millennia of human habitation are reflected in the landscape and history of the people, places and communities. 'This will be enhanced with National Lottery player support to deliver large-scale, long-term, meaningful change for the environment and its people, furthering our vision for heritage to be valued, cared for, and sustained for everyone, now and in the future." Dumfries and Galloway Council is leading the Scamp initiative alongside a list of local partners. Council leader Gail MacGregor said: 'With a potential total investment of almost £8m from the heritage fund this commitment demonstrates the huge potential of our Solway Coast to become a leading light in coastal and marine nature restoration, playing its part in helping with the nature and climate crisis. 'By allowing our coastal and marine environment to thrive we will be bringing opportunities for learning, green jobs, wellbeing and nature-related economic development to our communities.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Solway coastline secures major restoration boost
The Solway coastline in south west Scotland has secured a major funding boost to help with its conservation, restoration and development. It is the first project to secure support through the National Lottery Heritage Fund's (NLHF) £150m Landscape Connections initiative. The Solway Coast and Marine Landscape Connections Project - Scamp for short - will receive £1.4m to shape plans which will help unlock a further £6.4m. It will work with the local community to deliver an extensive programme of habitat restoration right along the Dumfries and Galloway coast. The project is the first of about 20 across the UK which will benefit from the funding aimed at boosting nature recovery, helping rural economies and attracting more visitors. NLHF chief executive Eilish McGuinness said it was the "perfect project" to get things started. "The Solway Firth's rich natural heritage has supported communities along its length since the earliest settlement," she said. "The heritage of millennia of human habitation are reflected in the landscape and history of the people, places and communities. "This will be enhanced with National Lottery player support to deliver large-scale, long-term, meaningful change for the environment and its people, furthering our vision for heritage to be valued, cared for, and sustained for everyone, now and in the future." Dumfries and Galloway Council is leading the Scamp initiative alongside a long list of local partners. Leader Gail MacGregor said: "With a potential total investment of almost £8m from the heritage fund this commitment demonstrates the huge potential of our Solway Coast to become a leading light in coastal and marine nature restoration, playing its part in helping with the nature and climate crisis. "By allowing our coastal and marine environment to thrive we will be bringing opportunities for learning, green jobs, wellbeing and nature-related economic development to our communities." Karen Morley, Scamp programme manager, said it welcomed the funding. "It is rare for a nature restoration project to attract this level of investment over a prolonged period of time," she said. "But it is also essential for this ambitious innovative programme of work to be delivered by ourselves and our partners and ensure we can make a real restorative impact on our Solway land and seascape." The Scamp scheme will be delivered over 10 years including a two-year development phase. Five key habitats will be prioritised - seagrass meadows, native oyster reefs, saltmarsh, coastal woodland and sand dunes. It will also see 120 miles (195km) of new coastal trail created with 10 coastal "gateway" sites enhanced. Panels along the coast and trails will allow people to learn more about the Solway Firth and the surrounding area. How Solway seaweed rum came out of Covid job cuts


Daily Record
3 days ago
- General
- Daily Record
Dumfries and Galloway Solway coast environment project in line for £8 million
The Solway Coast and Marine Project Landscape Connections (SCAMP) Landscape Connections is being backed by the National Lottery Heritage Fund An environmental project aimed at restoring and protecting the Solway coast is in line for £8 million. The Solway Coast and Marine Project Landscape Connections (SCAMP) Landscape Connections will take place across the next 10 years and includes 35 projects aimed at restoring habitats. And it is now being backed by the National Lottery Heritage Fund's Landscape Connections scheme, which has granted SCAMP £1.4 million to help shape their plans. If the detailed proposals are accepted, a further £6.4 million of funding will be unlocked. Dumfries and Galloway Council is leading the protect, which also includes Dumfries and Galloway Woodlands, Crichton Carbon Centre, Galloway Fisheries Trust, Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere, The Solway Firth Partnership, The Southern Uplands Partnership and the RSPB. Council leader, Gail Macgregor, said: 'Our beautiful Solway Coast has been so important to Scotland's coastal and natural heritage though time. We are incredibly excited to have The National Lottery Heritage Fund's support for SCAMP Landscape Connections confirmed as we plan for the best possible future for this cherished natural resource. 'The initial development funding provides the essential financial support that will allow us to develop plans for long-term programmes along with the community. 'With a potential total investment of almost £8 million from the Heritage Fund this commitment demonstrates the huge potential of our Solway Coast to become a leading light in coastal and marine nature restoration, playing its part in helping with the nature and climate crisis. 'By allowing our coastal and marine environment to thrive we will be bringing opportunities for learning, green jobs, wellbeing and nature related economic development to our communities. 'Dumfries and Galloway Council is incredibly proud to be leading the SCAMP partnership, which is made up of seven nature-based organisations who are committed to improving the wellbeing of our marine and coastal nature, leaving it in a healthier state for future generations to benefit from and enjoy. Being the first area in the UK funded through the Heritage Fund's Landscape Connections initiative is a great testament to the hard work and commitment of the partnership team.' The Scottish Solway Coast stretches for more than 200 miles with a spectacular diversity of stunning scenery. SCAMP aims to understand, conserve, restore and develop the potential of its natural, cultural and built heritage by working with the local community. Habitats to be prioritised include seagrass meadows, native oyster reef, saltmarsh, coastal woodland and sand dunes. Other aspects work to support blue carbon, marine and coastal biodiversity financial markets and 120 miles of new coastal trail, with improvements at 10 coastal gateway sites. SCAMP is the first scheme to supported through the National Lottery Heritage Funds £150 million scheme, which aims to boost nature recovery and allow rural economies to thrive. Chief executive of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Eilish McGuinnes, said: 'This is the perfect project to kick-start our UK-wide £150 million Landscape Connections initiative, demonstrating the scope of our ambitions to support nature recovery on a vast scale. 'The Solway Firth's rich natural heritage has supported communities along its length since the earliest settlement. The heritage of millennia of human habitation are reflected in the landscape and history of the people, places and communities, and this will be enhanced with National Lottery player support to deliver large-scale, long-term, meaningful change for the environment and its people, furthering our vision for heritage to be valued, cared for, and sustained for everyone, now and in the future.'