Government funding for woodlands project

DUMFRIES and Galloway Woodlands (DGW) is to get a share of £5 million of Scottish government funding. The regional initiative is one of 13 projects across Scotland to receive the a monetary boost to help reverse nature loss and tackle the impacts of climate change. Climate action secretary Gillian Martin said: “Sustained investment is a key condition for the success of our Biodiversity Strategy’s aim of protecting Scotland’s natural environment, addressing biodiversity loss, nature restoration and climate change. That is why we have extended the NRF to ensure that there is no delay in our efforts. The projects receiving this additional funding will, of course, benefit local areas and wildlife by restoring the environment and supporting green jobs and skills development, but they will also help us in the global fight against climate change and biodiversity loss.” DGW will use their £68,817 grant to establish a Wood Wide Network. Working with communities, they’ll identify areas to create a network of woodlands, improving the extent, quality, connectivity and value of native woodland across south-west Scotland. NatureScot chair Professor Colin Galbraith added:“We are incredibly heartened to see the energy, enthusiasm and commitment that so many people are showing towards restoring Scotland’s nature, and we are proud to be supporting these vital projects. “We are amid a nature and climate crisis, but by working together and taking positive action for nature now, we can have real hope for the future.”