Nature Restoration Fund

The Nature Restoration Fund (NRF) is a capital fund established by the Scottish Government. It supports projects that deliver nature restoration, safeguard wildlife, and tackle the causes of biodiversity loss due to climate change.

Strategic framework for biodiversity

In November 2024, the Scottish Government published its Strategic Framework for biodiversity. This includes:

• the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy to 2045
• the Delivery Plan to 2030

The Strategy sets out plans to halt the loss of nature by 2030 and make significant progress in restoring nature by 2045. It calls for a whole-of-society approach to achieving these goals, in line with the Edinburgh Process.

NRF-funded projects are a key delivery mechanism for the Strategy.

Purpose of the fund

The NRF aims to catalyse large-scale action to protect and restore Scotland’s biodiversity on land and sea. It focuses on outcomes that address the main drivers of biodiversity decline:

• over-exploitation of the natural environment and its consequences
• habitat loss and fragmentation
• invasive non-native species

Community-led projects in Highland

Over the last 4 years, we have delivered projects on our own sites and estates. We have also invited community groups and organisations to apply for NRF funding.

This local-led approach has resulted in over £630,000 of funding being awarded to 67 community projects throughout Highland. These projects include:

• the creation of new wildflower meadow sites
• local tree planting initiatives
• areas of wetland creation or new wildlife ponds
• projects to remove invasive non-native species to enhance local habitats for protected species

We have reviewed the fund’s activity, including selected case studies that highlight the impact of the funding across our communities.

Download the Nature Restoration Fund Review

Nature Networks and planning

The total value of nature restoration funding for local authorities this year is £10 million. One of the priorities identified in the new National Planning Framework (NPF4) is the establishment of Nature Networks to better connect areas for nature.

Nature Networks are a key mechanism to deliver transformative change for biodiversity and build resilience to climate change. They improve ecological connectivity between important areas for biodiversity.

The Scottish Government and NatureScot have worked with local authorities to understand their needs through a series of workshops. These identified the need for guidance and tools to support Nature Network implementation.

NatureScot has published:

• Nature Networks Framework – co-designed with local authority input to set out guiding principles for implementation
• Nature Networks Toolbox – a resource for sharing knowledge among those designing and delivering nature networks, including a practitioner’s guide

Our Nature Networks Project

Our Nature Networks Project was previously supported by the Nature Restoration Fund. It aimed to enhance biodiversity across over 3,500 council-owned sites, including:

• parks
• roadside verges
• disused land

Enhancements included native tree planting, wildflower meadows, and pollinator-friendly paths. These created interconnected green spaces that act as stepping stones for wildlife.

Find out more and view the interactive map of enhancement sites: Greenspace Enhancement and Nature Networks Project.