The Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere Partnership is starting 2025 with a fresh call for applications to its pioneering tree-planting programme, which focuses on small areas of publicly accessible land with the potential to support wildlife and wellbeing.
The scheme launched in 2023 and following a successful pilot season was expanded to cover both East and South Ayrshire within the UNESCO-designated region, with additional funding partners coming on board. As well as South Ayrshire Council the grant programme is now backed by Scottish Forestry, the Woodland Trust, and Girvan-based biofuel supplier Land Energy. Eligible projects include small copses, treelines, field boundaries, parkland and orchards with individuals, organisations and business-owners all invited to apply. Up to 100% of material costs such as plants, shelters, tree guards and fencing materials may be funded, with funded labour costs also available to non-profits.
The Ayrshire Small-Scale Tree-Planting Programme is one of a range of long term initiatives led by the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere Partnership, a charity established in 2013 to operate community, nature and heritage projects across Scotland’s first UNESCO Biosphere.
The charity supports local sustainable business through the Proud Supporter and Biosphere Certification Mark schemes, and delivers educational initiatives including outdoor learning for schools and Carbon Literacy training for community groups. The GSA Biosphere Partnership was also part of the successful joint submission for a Galloway National Park, with the proposal currently going through public consultation before NatureScot reports to Scottish Government at the end of April 2025.
Project lead Antoine Lemaire, the Biosphere’s Nature Recovery Officer, launched the 2024/25 programme in Maybole last August and is keen that nobody misses out on the available grants.
“This is an important and exciting initiative for Ayrshire; our ambition is to reclaim land for native broadleaf trees and inspire a new pattern of land use that centres biodiversity while creating space for local people to connect with nature. The application process is quick and straightforward with in-person support always on hand, and we’d be absolutely delighted to see more individuals and groups take up the opportunity of funding that brings so many benefits to people and place.”
Applications for the Ayrshire Small-Scale Tree-Planting Programme will be accepted until Monday 17 March. For further information and to make your application:
email Antoine directly to arrange a call and/or site visit
Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere
Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere has been recognised internationally as a world class environment for people and nature.
The UNESCO Biosphere designation was awarded in 2012 in recognition of the fantastic array of landscapes, wildlife, cultural heritage and learning opportunities that SW Scotland offers for communities, businesses and visitors to experience and celebrate in a sustainable way.
The Biosphere designation brings no new rules or regulations but rather encourages us to work together to create a better future for people and nature.
A UNESCO Biosphere:
is a special designation awarded by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to areas renowned for their exceptional environments which are valued by local people. They are places of cooperation and collaboration that show that a sustainable way of living is not only possible but already happening.
has four main functions:
Conservation: promoting the preservation of wildlife, habitats and landscape.
Learning: supporting a better understanding of nature and global issues.
Development: fostering a sustainable economy and society.
Climate Change: supporting mitigation and adaptation in a changing global environment
is an area that demonstrates a way of living and working that benefits people and nature.
Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere covers almost 9,800km² of land and sea. It was the first in Scotland and is part of a family of over 740 UNESCO Biospheres worldwide.
