Scotland leading the way in rewilding with new funding recognition - Rewildling Britain
● Over half of projects awarded up to £15,000 from Rewilding Britain's Rewilding Innovation Fund are based in Scotland
● All projects highlight rewilding’s positive effects on health and community as well as landscape recovery
● Research shows stronger connections with nature benefits the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities
Rewilding Britain is highlighting the importance of community-based rewilding projects and those that benefit people’s health and wellbeing through the UK’s first Rewilding Innovation Fund. Seven projects around Britain have been awarded up to £15,000 each, four of which are in Scotland.
The new fund awards financial backing to locally led land and marine rewilding projects countrywide. Its first official round follows a successful pilot launch earlier this year, and focuses on rewilding projects that have a strong community element or are working towards improving people’s health and wellbeing.
Sara King, Rewilding Britain’s Rewilding Manager, said: “It’s wonderful to see so many innovative and exciting rewilding projects taking place in Scotland. We’re delighted to be able to use this latest round of funding to highlight rewilding projects that recognise the tangible benefits rewilding has on both individual mental and physical health, and also the wellbeing of our communities.”
The Rewilding Innovation Fund supports rewilding projects across Britain’s lands and seas, and two of the seven successful projects are working towards marine rewilding in Scotland.
The Community of Arran Seabed Trust (COAST) charity is one of the leading marine rewilding projects in Britain, whose work has resulted in a stunning recovery of marine habitats around Arran and the Clyde. The backing from the Rewilding Innovation Fund will help the charity further develop its community engagement work.
Rewilding Britain’s Rewilding Innovation Fund has been made possible through funding from Evolution Education Trust, Charles Langdale, The Vintry and Dormywood Trust. Rewilding Britain opens the fund for several rounds per year, and the next opportunity to apply will be in early spring 2023.
Projects anywhere in Scotland, Wales and England working to apply the principles of rewilding to benefit nature, climate and people can apply, and just need to be part of Rewilding Britain’s growing Rewilding Network. Land-based projects need to be at least 40 hectares in size, while marine projects can be of any size.
For more details, visit rewildingbritain.org.uk/the-rewilding-network/rewilding-innovation-fund.