Our Research and Innovation Grants are dedicated to projects benefiting Scotland’s native woodlands or enhancing understanding of their value.

In April, we proudly granted two new projects. It’s part of our commitment to supporting initiatives that benefit Scotland’s native woodlands or enhance knowledge of their significance.

Helping to reverse the decline of Aspen

The SCOTLAND: The Big Picture Painting Scotland Yellow Project is moving into an exciting new phase. With our support, they are creating a film to dispel myths and hosting a specialist event for the tree-growing industry. This initiative aims to reverse the decline of aspen, a vital component of Scotland’s native woodlands; foster collaboration between growers and aspen experts to address production challenges; and raise awareness of aspen’s importance, promoting natural regeneration of existing strands.

We’re proud to co-fund this important next step in their project. Emma Razi – Head of Fundraising, SBP, said: “We are extremely grateful to Future Woodlands Scotland. The grant will fund awareness raising activities and collaboration, helping to increase public understanding of the role of aspen as an important contributor to increased biodiversity and climate mitigation.”

Protecting a special woodland in Southern Scotland

We’re also delighted to support Borders Forest Trust with funding to help protect a special woodland in Southern Scotland.

This funding will help understand and restore ancient wood pastures, especially slope alder wood pastures. And while work focuses on one site, the findings can hopefully be used for other wood pasture sites, too. We’re looking forward to seeing the results of their important work.

Nicola Hunt, Head of Land Management at Borders Forest Trust said: “We are delighted to receive funding towards our work which will enable us to undertake historical and ecological work to better understand our Ancient Wood Pasture site at Ericstane. This special area of woodland has likely survived for hundreds of years and a better understanding about it will enable us to plan how best to conserve it into the future.”

Image by C. Newell

Grants of up to £10,000 available

Funding is available for innovative projects and research into native woodlands with Research and Innovation Grants of up to £10,000. The next deadline is Friday 16th August 2024.

Apply now