Project wins Heritage Lottery Fund support

This ambitious project will create a network of volunteers to eradicate and control several invasive non-native species across a 29,500 square km area in the north of Scotland, focusing on rivers, lochs and riparian corridors.

On top of managing these non-native species, the project aims to help local people to take care of their local rivers and riparian habitats. Volunteers, who will be recruited form a variety of community groups, will learn about the targeted species and gain skills in the various techniques used to survey and control them, such as spraying plants with pesticides or trapping mink. They and the wider public will also be encouraged to use specially-developed on line apps to identify and record where and when they see non-native invasive species. Volunteers will also learn how to restore sites that were previously full of non-native plants to a more native, natural state. By the end of the project, volunteers will have the skills and knowledge to conserve their local habitats long after the project is finished.

Scotland’s rivers, burns, lochs and pools support many iconic Scottish species like Atlantic salmon, osprey and otter, as well as the endangered freshwater pearl mussel. They also form part of an incredible landscape that attracts millions of tourists a year to Scotland, helping to boost our economy, and providing the country with vital services such as drinking water, electricity generation and flood protection.

Chris Horrill from RAFTS said, “We’re delighted that the Heritage Lottery Fund has given us this support. The threat of invasive species is increasing as our climate continues to change and this project will help us take action against this. It gives people in Scotland the opportunity to protect their natural environment and ensure we continue to benefit from it while maintaining its beauty.”

Julia Stubbs-Partridge from Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), one of RAFTS partners in the project, said, “To receive this funding from HLF is great news. Invasive species are a growing threat and projects like this will ensure we can protect Scotland’s natural landscape, not only for the benefit of the people of Scotland but also for visitors.”

Explaining the importance of the HLF support, Colin McLean, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in Scotland, said: “Our natural heritage is a most precious resource and, thanks to National Lottery players, HLF grants have helped to protect an amazing range of landscapes, habitats, and species of plants and animals. HLF is delighted to support the Scottish Invasive Species Initiative in developing a project that will encourage people to get involved in the natural world and in doing so, conserve it for future generations.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

Formed in 2005, Rivers and Fisheries Trusts of Scotland (RAFTS) is a leading independent freshwater conservation charity representing Scotland’s national network of rivers and fisheries Trusts and Foundations. RAFTS manages a range of core policy and project-driven objectives, including representing its 26 member Trusts and Foundations.

RAFTS’ core objective is the ‘Conservation and enhancement of native freshwater fish and their environments in Scotland’.

This involves:

■Project management, fundraising and co-ordination

■Promoting the development of new trusts and foundations

■Promoting best practice and education in the fishery management network

■Representing the interests of our member trusts and foundations on a range of national groups and fora

■Influencing relevant land, freshwater and general environmental policy

About the Heritage Lottery Fund

From the archaeology under our feet to the historic parks and buildings we love, from precious memories and collections to rare wildlife, we use National Lottery players' money to help people across the UK explore, enjoy and protect the heritage they care about. www.hlf.org.uk.

For further information, images and interviews please contact:

Dr. Chris Horrill, Director at RAFTS on 07585 600734 and chris@rafts.org.uk