Peatlands to get health boost

TWO peatlands projects in Dumfries and Galloway have benefited from restoration funding.

NatureScot Peatland ACTION has given monies to the schemes, which are restoring 258.59 hectares of peatland locally, with a combined value of £213,434.5

They are part of a national push to fix damaged peatland as healthy sites are known to be the most efficient land-based store of carbon. They can store twice as much carbon as all the world’s forests and are also vital for many kinds of wildlife.

Commenting on the funding news, Claudia Rowse, of NatureScot, said: “I’m delighted that our funding will restore so much more peatland over the next year. The best thing about restoring peatlands is that everyone benefits. As well as being good for nature and climate action, it provides jobs, often in remote rural locations, and helps to protect communities and businesses from flooding and wildfire risk. It’s a triple win for people, nature and climate.’

Looking to the future, an extra £1m has been allocated to support the design of a further 12,000ha of new restoration projects. This will ensure the increase in pace and scale of restoration work continues over the next few years.

NatureScot Peatland ACTION currently funds up to 100 per cent of the costs of peatland restoration, as well as providing advice, training and support to design, develop, deliver and monitor the projects. Applications are considered annually on a competitive basis to ensure the funding delivers as many hectares of restored peatlands as possible, with the best value for money.