Nature Restoration Fund (NRF) - Supported Projects

https://www.nature.scot/funding-and-projects/nature-restoration-fund/nature-restoration-fund-nrf-supported-projects

The Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund (NRF) supports projects to help tackle the nature-climate crises, working to restore Scotland’s biodiversity and increase resilience to climate change, while improving the health and wellbeing of local communities.

Since its launch in 2021, the Nature Restoration Fund has awarded over £65 million, including to more than 240 projects through the competitive fund run by NatureScot. Here you'll find information about some of this vital work, including videos which celebrate the people and organisations taking action for nature and climate, and a story map which illustrates the breadth and range of projects taking place across the country.

Films with Gaelic subtitles can be viewed over on our YouTube channel / Gheibhear fiolmichean le fo-thiotalan Gàidhlig air an t-seanail YouTube againn.

Nature Restoration Fund - with Libby Penman.
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Duration
10:14

The Scottish Government's Nature Restoration Fund is supporting projects across the country to protect and restore nature on land and sea. Since it started it's helped lots of projects and here are just a few that are making a positive impact on nature and climate.

Nature Restoration Fund - celebrating the projects.
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Duration
08:41

This film celebrates the people and projects making a positive difference to nature, with support from the Scottish Government's Nature Restoration Fund.

The River Peffery restoration project.
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Duration
04:13

The River Peffery restoration project is using natural flood management techniques to reduce flooding while also turning the area into a haven for wildlife.

The Arkaig Landscape Scale Restoration Project.
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Duration
03:04

The Arkaig Landscape Scale Restoration Project is restoring key habitats of rainforest, pine forest and bog woodland which supports a plethora of plant and animal species.

Restoring the waterways - Argaty.
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Duration
03:49

The Bowser family are restoring and reconnecting habitats on their farm, from pollinators to birds, and bats to beavers, they're improving the quality of their waterways and enhancing the landscape for nature.

The Reducing Entanglements project.
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Duration
03:48

The Reducing Entanglements project on Scotland's West Coast is exploring ways to prevent marine life from becoming entangled in creel gear.

The Green Shores project.
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Duration
03:37

The Green Shores project from the University of St Andrews is working to combat the loss of saltmarsh habitat, while strengthening the shoreline against rising sea levels.

The Tweed Meadows Project.
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Duration
03:52

With help from the Scottish Government's Nature Restoration Fund, Tweed Meadows is restoring lost hay meadow habitat across the river catchment, to increase biodiversity and support hundreds of plants, invertebrates and fungi.

Wilder, Wetter, Caerlaverock.
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Duration
03:26

WWT Caerlaverock are using their grant from the Nature Restoration Fund to restore habitats and bring nature back by slowing the flow of water and holding it on the land. They're already seeing the benefits with rare species returning.

Successful Projects

In the most recent round of the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund, 13 projects will be awarded grants totalling over £5m for nature restoration projects. Read our latest news release of 28 January 2026 - Nature projects share £5 million cash boost.

Projects awarded NRF funding – 
Our news releases announcing the awards -

NRF and the Scottish Marine Environmental Enhancement Fund (SMEEF) - 

The marine element of the Nature Restoration Fund is administered by our Scottish Marine Environmental Enhancement Fund team. See our SMEEF page for information on marine projects awarded NRF funding through SMEEF.

Interim Evaluation of the Nature Restoration Fund (2021-2024)

Restoring Nature in Scotland
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Key Impacts of the Nature Restoration Fund 2021–2024

In 2021–24, the Nature Restoration Fund (NRF) invested £35.5 million, supporting nearly 800 projects to promote nature recovery, delivering:

  • 15,427ha of project activity
  • 103,436ha and 216km of linear habitat protected from invasive species
  • 328,813 trees planted and 68.3km of hedgerows created
  • More than 282ha of habitat for pollinators restored or created
  • 314ha of wetlands created or restored
  • 300 ponds and scrapes created
  • 19km of aquatic and riparian habitat restored
  • 1,818ha of urban greenspace restored in towns and cities

Key outcomes

  • The NRF has enabled projects that would not have been possible through other funding sources.
  • The NRF unlocked at least £7.1 million in match funding and in-kind contributions.
  • The NRF supports long‑term environmental sustainability and Scotland’s biodiversity commitments.
  • The NRF is supporting Nature Networks to help connect and support local ecosystems and habitats.

This infographic is based on findings from the Interim Evaluation of the Nature Restoration Fund 2025 report, prepared by SAC Consulting and published by the Scottish Government. Graphic design and illustration by Tom Holmes.

View a larger version of this infographic.

Between 2021–24, the Nature Restoration Fund (NRF) invested £35.5 million, supporting nearly 800 projects to promote nature recovery, achieving:

  • 15,427 hectares of project activity
  • 216km of linear habitat protected from invasive species
  • 328,813 trees planted and 68.3km of hedgerows created
  • More than 282 hectares of habitat for pollinators restored or created
  • 314 hectares of wetlands created or restored
  • 300 ponds and scrapes created
  • 19km of aquatic and riparian habitat restored
  • 1,818 hectares of urban greenspace restored in towns and cities

We're proud to be managing the competitive #NatureRestorationFund and supporting people to take action for nature across the country. All of this is helping us reach our goals of being nature positive by 2030 and restoring nature by 2045.

Please note that this report contains an evaluation of the Nature Restoration Fund in its entirety, including the competitive fund, managed by NatureScot, and funding given directly to local authorities and national parks through the Edinburgh Process.

Read the interim evaluation report.

Nature Heroes

Our Nature Restoration Fund Nature Heroes:

 

Nature Restoration Fund logo with Net Zero Scotland and Lets Do Net Zero RGB JPG

Story Maps

The Nature Restoration Fund Story Maps feature projects which are underway or have completed. 

Nature Restoration Fund Story Map
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Map showing the Helping Nature Projects for 2022, 2023 to 2025 and Transforming Nature Projects.

An accessible list of the projects from the Story Map can be read at:

Nature Restoration Fund - Our Helping Nature Projects 2022

Nature Restoration Fund - Our Helping Nature Projects 2023 to 2025 

Nature Restoration Fund - Our Transforming Nature Projects 

Header image - View across Abernethy Forest, part of the Cairngorms Connect Partnership. Photo credit - scotlandbigpicture.com/@ScotlandTBP.

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