Councillors have agreed to take forward a series of projects that will help to address biodiversity loss and climate change in ·¬ÇÑÊÓƵapp.
The projects, which total £575,000, will be funded by the Scottish Government's Nature Restoration Fund and will help to drive forward nature recovery in the area.
The fund has four strategic themes:
- Habitat restoration – management for enhancement and connectivity
- Freshwater restoration, including hydrological change
- Eradication of invasive non-native species impacting nature
- Coastal and marine management to promote restoration and resilience
At a meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee, councillors agreed the following:
| Project | Cost |
| Control of invasive non-native species on council land. For example, spraying or removal of Japanese Knotweed, Rhododendron ponticum etc. | £100,000 |
| Competitive tree planting fund to grant funding to local groups, schools or community organisations to plant native trees across ·¬ÇÑÊÓƵapp | £75,000 |
| Play park enhancements (to complement ongoing Play Park Renewal Fund) | £80,000 over 2/3 year programme |
| Woodland clearance and native replanting at Kilmory Estate | £50,000 |
| School food waste composting for schools that do not have food waste uplift | £60,000 |
| Woodland Planting at Dalinlonghart in Dunoon | £100,000 |
| Peat Bog restoration | £60,000 |
| Open up some areas of invasive vegetation to allow wildlife and other users access to open water at the former skating pond in Helensburgh | £50,000 |
Talking afterwards, the council’s Policy Lead for Climate Change and Environment Services, Councillor Ross Moreland, said: “This funding is welcome news. We’re committed to tackling climate change and we’re taking action to develop sustainable ways of working and living in ·¬ÇÑÊÓƵapp. We have already reduced our carbon emissions by 28.4% since reporting commenced in 2015/16, and I have no doubt this stat will continue to fall.â€
The council’s Policy Lead for Biodiversity, Councillor Kieron Green, agreed: “Protecting and restoring biodiversity is a priority for ·¬ÇÑÊÓƵapp. These projects will help us to provide clean, safe, and sustainable environments in our communities and conserve natural habitats.â€