Grants to help support a wide range of environmental improvement projects have been given to communities across Scotland.

The money will enable local people to take a hands-on approach to improving their local environment.

Removing dangerous invasive plant species along riverbanks, installing eco-friendly electric vehicle charge points, helping fish to migrate upriver more easily, and planting seagrass to help marine life are just some of the initiatives that will benefit from the Crown Estate Scotland grants.

The Environment Grants form part of the £970,000 Sustainable Communities Fund, established in 2020 by Crown Estate Scotland to support local regeneration and sustainable development.

Improved bird habitat along the banks of the River Tay is one project to have already benefitted from the Environmental Grants fund. Working in partnership with RSPB Scotland, work to improve the extensive reed beds has created a rich ecosystem for a range of birdlife.

Vicky Turnbull, RSPB Scotland’s Tay Reedbeds site manager said: “Our priority species at Tay Reedbeds are bearded tits, marsh harriers and water rails. Thanks to the funding we have received from Crown Estate Scotland, we have together created a much improved and more diverse habitat that will make finding food and nesting places much easier for them. Hopefully over the coming years we will see more of these incredible birds thriving here.”

A short film showcasing the fascinating work along the River Tay can be viewed here.

Annie Breaden, Head of Policy for Crown Estate Scotland, said: “These latest awards demonstrate the practical and ingenious ways people across Scotland are identifying and tackling the challenges they want addressed.

“These grants from Crown Estate Scotland will help support an incredibly wide range of important and positive projects, which will have a big impact when it comes to improving and protecting Scotland’s environment.”

Applications for the next round of the Sustainable Communities Fund will open in August 2022.

Further information can be read here.

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