We are very excited to announce that two projects led by us have been announced as finalists in this year’s prestigious Scottish Land and Estates Helping it Happen Awards. Both are nominated in the ‘Enhancing our Environment through Land Management’ category. The first is our Tweed Invasives Project, which has been tackling invasive plant species across the catchment for over 25 years. Invasive plant species can cause riverbank erosion and increased flood-risk and threaten the area’s native biodiversity including destroying spawning and nursery habitat for salmonid fish species. Giant hogweed’s toxic sap can also cause harm to humans.
Our Neidpath Farms Agroforestry Project involved work in collaboration with this fantastic Peeblesshire farm business to plant a mix of over 1,800 native trees. Benefits include improved soil health and water quality, shade and shelter for livestock, reduced flood risk and enhanced biodiversity. Orchard trees will also provide high-quality organic fruit for local markets. The project is part of the Destination Tweed Woodlands for Wildlife and Water project and is being delivered on a scale believed to be unmatched anywhere else in Scotland.
It’s great to have this important recognition of the work of our staff, partners and of farm businesses and communities across the Tweed catchment. We hope it will also highlight the positive impact that collaborative environmental action can have for nature, communities and the rural environment.