From Carbon capture to reducing soil erosion, from biodiversity to the simple landscape impact – we know more and more about how important trees are to us all. A further round of grants are now available for small scale planting of native trees across Dumfries & Galloway.
The South of Scotland Tree Planting Grant Scheme was launched earlier this year, covering Dumfries & Galloway and the Scottish Borders. The portion of funding allocated towards Dumfries & Galloway was quickly awarded to support 33 tree planting initiatives across the region. These awards will result in approximately 6,000 native trees being planted through the winter, from Langholm to Stranraer.
Additional funding of £25,000 has now been sourced from the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund to allow another round of this popular scheme to take place. It is estimated that the additional funding will enable a further 5,000 trees to be planted through this winter – bringing the total to 11,000 across Dumfries & Galloway this year.
With this additional funding being announced, community groups and landowners are being urged to apply for grant funding to plant individual trees or small woodlands to enhance the local landscape, increase wildlife habitat and biodiversity, capture carbon and help to reduce soil erosion. Field margin trees, orchards, treelines, small copses of less than 0.25 hectares and individual parkland trees are all encouraged, with planting normally of native species.
The South of Scotland Tree Planting Grant Scheme covers both the Scottish Borders and Dumfries & Galloway, however this additional funding is only towards tree planting in Dumfries & Galloway. The Scheme is administered locally by the Galloway Glens Scheme, an initiative of the Council’s Environment Team.
If you are interested in applying for a Tree Planting Grant, kick off the discussion by contacting Jonathan Barrett, Galloway Glens Land Management & Access Officer, on [email protected] or 07469 571806.
More info on the scheme available here: South of Scotland Tree Planting Grant Scheme | The Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership
Upon news that there was additional funding available, Jonathan Barrett said:
“Since its launch in April we have been really pleased with the popularity of the South of Scotland tree planting grant scheme. The availability of new funding will allow us to continue the scheme and further support the creation of small areas of native woodland and promote woodland stewardship across the communities of Dumfries and Galloway”.
