Scotland: National Rural Network
Connecting Rural Scotland - Promoting Rural Growth

Over £200,000 has been awarded to five projects in the most recent round of funding from Rural Dumfries and Galloway LEADER. Projects include creating a local provenance tree nursery in Wigtownshire, and developing community engagement with the RSPB Nature Reserves in the region.

Dumfries and Galloway LEADER is delighted to have been able to support the projects benefitting communities the length and breadth of the regional all contributing towards revitalising our rural communities.

Dumfries and Galloway LEADER's new chair Cathy Agnew said, "The level of application has been to a very high standard and it is gratifying to be able to support projects that have the potential to make such a positive impact on the lives and environment of our rural community. The current LEADER programme welcomes enquiries and ideas about local projects that can make a very real difference to our region."

Tackling invasive species

The region's riverbanks and waterways will benefit from a grant of £27,349.20 awarded to the D&G Riparian Invasive Non-native Species Control Project. Paul Sutherland, Catchment Management Planning Officer for SEPA, said "Japanese knotweed, giant hogweed and Himalayan balsam are invasive non-native species that are having a significant environmental impact on the rivers Annan and Nith. They suppress our native plant species, contribute to the erosion of river banks and make access to parts of the river almost impossible. This project sets out to control these species utilising the knowledge and experience of the District Salmon Fishery Boards. The project aims not for complete eradication but to vastly reduce their extent and to build local knowledge, skills and experience so that control can be continued beyond the end of the project. We are delighted that LEADER has been able to support the project as without their funding we would have been unable to develop the public facing aspects of the project that will allow us to work with landowners, land managers and member of the public."

Development of a derelict building

A £5,400 grant will enable Cairnhead Community Woodland Trust to research development of a derelict building next to the Striding Arches site near Moniaive. Murray Bainbridge says, "We welcome the confirmation of a contribution from the LEADER programme to allow us to take forward our plans for the continued enhancement of a valuable community resource which we believe will encourage a larger number of people to visit and appreciate the fantastic landscape and natural scenic beauty of the Cairnhead forest area as well as the renowned Striding Arches installation."

Connecting communities with wildlife

Community engagement is paramount to the success of our regional attractions and is core to the Connecting Communities with Wildlife Project which received £111,961. Chris Rollie of RSPB confirms, "I am delighted that our approach to working with communities across Dumfries & Galloway has been recognised by LEADER with this funding award for our Connecting Communities with Wildlife Project. This will enable us to use our nature reserves to interpret nature to children and visitors, provide volunteering opportunities and forge greater links with local communities. It will also allow us to work with local businesses and further develop the successful Galloway Kite Trail."

Local provenance tree nursery

The Cree Valley Woodland Trust (CVCWT) are looking forward to using their £9,868 grant to set up their local provenance tree nursery, Peter Robinson says "we now manage 1600 hectares of woodland and other habitats as we strive to create a Forest Habitat Network from `Source to Sea'. CVCWT wishes to express its gratitude to LEADER for grant aid received towards the establishment of its `Local Provenance Tree Nursery'. This community project will enable us to produce trees, grown from locally collected seed, to plant in our many woodland projects".

Border Forest Trust

Willie McGhee Director of Borders Forest Trust saw their project awarded £49,998. He said, "The Trust is delighted to be a recipient of Rural D&G Leader grant and we are very grateful to the LEADER group for giving us the opportunity to recruit a site manager, who will be based locally, for the Corehead Building Biodiversity with People project. Through this exciting project, the site manager will work closely with local people to deliver the significant biodiversity enhancing activities at Corehead Farm and will be active in engaging schools, youth groups and others in the Moffatdale area to offer education, training and recreational opportunities. Through this project Corehead will be developed as a place for wildlife and for people."

More on D&G LEADER

Rural Dumfries & Galloway LEADER look forward to hearing from any organisations looking for funding to help deliver projects in their communities. Please contact the LEADER office on 01387 850228.