Fourteen projects across Scotland are to receive a share of £7.8m from the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund, bringing the total invested so far to nearly £40 million.

Work includes expanding woodlands, creating wetlands and restoring rivers, as well as helping to protect native species, such as the red squirrel, and controlling invasive non-native plants, such as rhododendron to benefit Scotland’s rainforest.

The 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.

Included in the awards is support for developing plans for future nature restoration projects for a wide range of habitats and species. This will help conservation groups, land managers and communities plan for activities to maximise the benefits and impacts for nature.