A development programme designed to support rural Scotland is providing a welcome boost for nature conservation schemes


Top priorities


Over 1,000 farms and estates across Scotland have won five-year government contracts over the last couple of years aimed at helping them conserve their wildlife. The awards have typically been worth about £50,000 each, with the money coming from the ‘rural priorities’ strand of the Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP).


The programme still has three years to run, so there’s time yet for farmers and land managers to put together a bid. The decisions on funding are made by regional panels that meet several times a year, with applications judged against agreed priorities. One of the top priorities for nature conservation is to see sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs) and Natura sites thriving, so high scores usually go to applicants aiming to maintain or restore sites to good condition. Conservation work outwith SSSIs can receive funding too, but the scheme is competitive and success depends on scoring highly for other wildlife management priorities. Specialist advice is usually needed to get SSSI management right, so the scheme will pay part of the costs if you want to hire someone to produce a plan. SNH can also advise on suitable management and may be able to visit and talk about what’s required. If you’re considering an application on your SSSI, then it would certainly be worth your while contacting your local SNH office to talk it through. The next rounds for SSSI management proposals are in August and October 2010, with applications normally having to be in several months before. For more information on the scheme, go to the rural priorities page on the Scottish Government website www.scotland.gov.uk Over the page are some examples of the sorts of projects that have been successful so far in attracting funding.


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Saltmarsh and croft land at Northton on the Isle of Harris, Western Isles.


54 1 The Nature of Scotland


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