Royal Zoological Society of Scotland awarded over £400,000 to build on the success of the Saving Wildcats partnership

Original press release on NatureScot's website.

Rainforests, wildcats and threatened plants are among the projects benefiting from a £5.2 million cash boost from the Nature Restoration Fund.

NatureScot has awarded grants to 13 projects to help reverse nature loss and tackle the impacts of climate change across the country, including in the Highlands, the Lothians and Dumfries and Galloway.

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland has been awarded just over £400,000 to build on the success of the Saving Wildcats partnership. The funding will support a fragile new Cairngorms-based population of wildcats on their journey to recovery by tackling threats and continuing releases – helping to secure the future for wildcats in Scotland.

More than £65 million has been awarded through the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund since its launch in 2021, including to over 250 projects through the competitive scheme run by NatureScot. 

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.

“I look forward to seeing the results of nature restoration from these 13 projects.” 

NatureScot Chair Professor Colin Galbraith said: 

“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.”