Fife biodiversity project awarded £160k nature fund cash

St Andrews Green Corridors has been awarded almost £162,000 to help reduce habitat loss and tackle invasive non-native species, including Japanese knotweed, and reconnect special areas for wildlife left isolated by years of development.

Building on existing volunteer programmes, a team of volunteers will be recruited to help with the habitat improvement work. The project will be managed by St Andrews Botanic Garden and delivered in partnership with the University of St Andrews, Fife Council and a range of land- and garden-owners. 

Professor Thomas Meagher, Chair of the St Andrews Botanic Garden Trust, said: “As lead partner in the St Andrews Green Corridors project, we’re really excited with this award of Scottish Government funding by SNH. The money will enable us to improve around 80 hectares of habitats along and between the two corridors, by planting woodland and creating areas of wetland and meadow, for example. We are looking forward now to working with our partners and fantastic volunteers to help contribute to increasing biodiversity and protecting habitats for wildlife in Fife.”

The St Andrews Botanic Garden Trust is supported by the University of St Andrews. Sustainability Manager David Stutchfield said: “The University recognises the vital importance of biodiversity to our town and people who live and work here. The St Andrews Green Corridors project will enable our community to take practical action to enhance the environment and help deliver the University’s Biodiversity Strategy.”

St Andrews Green Corridors is one of 14 successful projects across Scotland to share the £1.8 million committed by the Biodiversity Challenge Fund in the first year of its two-year period.

The announcement comes as additional funding has now been made available by the Scottish Government for further, ambitious ideas to improve habitats, safeguard species and tackle the causes of biodiversity loss, as the Biodiversity Challenge Fund opens its latest round for fresh applications.  Scottish Government announced a £2m increase in its latest Programme for Government. The Biodiversity Challenge Fund adds to the many millions of pounds of Scottish Government funding delivered through the Scottish Rural Development Programme and other sources to support biodiversity and help to deliver Scotland’s Biodiversity Strategy.

Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham said: “I am delighted that, through the Biodiversity Challenge Fund, the Scottish Government and SNH can support these fantastic projects across the country to safeguard some of our most vulnerable species and habitats, and protect them from invasive species. Their success will play a crucial role in our efforts to improve nature and help Scotland meet its international biodiversity commitments.”

SNH Chief Executive, Francesca Osowska, said: “Climate change is one of the key drivers of nature loss – but it’s not too late to act. In fact, improving nature is also one of the solutions to the climate emergency.

“There are five areas we need to focus on to improve biodiversity – restoring our habitats, changing our use of the land and sea, reducing pollution and climate change and tackling invasive non-native species. These projects will improve nature across Scotland for all our benefit.

“We know we have a big task before us but we have been working for years with our partners to meet international nature targets. We are ready to deliver the transformational change needed to bring a nature rich future for Scotland.”