Other grant funders
Across the UK, the RSPB is partnering with different organisations on vital nature restoration projects. Together, we’re breathing new life into nature reserves, making the experience even better for our visitors and creating jobs for the local community.
On this page
Scottish Government Nature Restoration Fund
RSPB Lochwinnoch is one of the few wetlands left in the west of Scotland and provides invaluable habitat to visiting winter wetland birds like Whooper Swans, Goldeneyes and Shovelers.
Many wetlands were drained and repurposed for agriculture, particularly throughout the 20th century, and the landscape at Lochwinnoch has undergone dramatic changes. The RSPB’s management of the nature reserve focuses on restoring the wetland, ensuring it offers prime habitat for wildlife.
In 2022, funding from the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund (NRF) was awarded to RSPB Lochwinnoch, to improve and enhance the connectivity of existing water features on the reserve’s Aird Meadow Loch. Using amphibious excavators, the work resulted in approximately four hectares of newly interconnected wetland habitat, made up of wet grassland and fen. It has allowed water birds and fish to move more easily around the site, whilst the pools provide better habitat for dragonflies and amphibians.
Recent monitoring has shown a boost in biodiversity in the improved areas. Thanks to the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund, managed by NatureScot, Black-headed Gulls, Whooper Swans, Shovelers, Lapwings and Common Sandpipers are now making use of this new habitat.
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Green Recovery Capacity Building Scheme
The Welsh Government partnered with National Lottery Heritage Fund on a support fund to help environmental NGOs in Wales build skills, develop ideas and improve their services. RSPB Cymru used this fund to:
- Study how woodland creation in Wales can help deliver benefits for the climate, nature, people and the economy.
- Discover opportunities for creating new woodland in key black grouse areas in Wales to benefit both nature and people.
- Carry out an independent review to help us understand how we can do our bit to tackle the climate, nature and economic crises through green job opportunities and workforce training.
- Evaluate the toolkit we use to make sure our projects are as inclusive as possible, with our Giving Nature a Home in Cardiff project as a pilot.
