£1.87m in funding to drive nature investment

The Facility for Investment Ready Nature in Scotland (FIRNS) fund is aimed at projects that will help establish a marketplace for private investment in Scotland’s natural capital - habitats and ecosystems with social, environmental and economic benefits for people. The fund fosters collaboration among local communities, investors and land managers.

Since its launch in 2023, there have been 44 successful FIRNS grant awards, sharing almost £6.5m. Eleven projects have been successful in this third round of the fund, with innovative ideas to attract investment for peatland, woodland, coastal and marine and urban areas, helping to create healthy air, soil, water, forests, fisheries and seas to halt nature loss and tackle climate change.

Examples of the projects funded include the Arkaig Natural Capital: Regenerative Investment in West Lochaber project, led by Achnacarry Estate near Spean Bridge. The project will support the recovery of some of Scotland’s most depleted habitats at scale and pace with private investment. Its ambitious plans include woodland creation, peatland and saltmarsh restoration, species recovery, and regenerative deer management with a longer-term aim of reintroducing missing species.

The Galloway Fisheries Trust’s River Annan Restoration Project is developing a catchment-scale network of river restoration works across the River Annan, and Sylvestris Land Management’s Moray Farm Cluster: Farming with Nature Finance project balances sustainable nature-friendly farming with profitable long-term income streams.

NatureScot Director of Green Economy, Robbie Kernahan said: “This wave of funding for nature investment shows the national will to reverse nature loss is a shared and passionate one. Strong partnerships with communities are at the heart of our success, with private investment essential if we are to meet the immediate challenges of climate change for Scotland’s environment and its people.”

Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon said: “It is essential that the Scottish Government, our agencies and partners all work together to invest in Scotland’s natural capital, including its biodiversity, forests, peatlands, water, and soils. Restoring nature offers some of the best ways to protect us from the worst impacts of climate change and private investment allows us to carry out more work at a faster pace. I want to congratulate all of the successful projects and look forward to seeing their results.”

Caroline Clark, The National Lottery Heritage Fund Director for Scotland said: “Scotland has a huge wealth of natural capital. FIRNS projects are supporting communities to unlock this potential through responsible and sustainable investment with benefits for people and communities at its heart.

"We are already seeing influential projects initially supported under the FIRNS programme driving progress and innovation throughout Scotland. This latest cohort will continue to build on a strong foundation for a more inclusive, effective and high-integrity capital market that we know will deliver positive benefits for nature and community."

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