National lottery is to help out more nature projects

A bird conservation charity has welcomed changes to the National Lottery Heritage Fund which will see more emphasis on nature.

RSPB Scotland, which runs Loch Leven nature reserve in Kinross-shire, has welcomes the newly re-named fund’s change to be more focused on nature.

With one in 11 species threatened with extinction in Scotland, and diminishing funding for biodiversity and nature conservation, the charity said the need has never been greater.

Anne McCall, director of RSPB Scotland, said:“To learn that nature conservation is a top priority for so many lottery players is enormously reassuring, and signals the huge value people and communities put on our natural heritage and vital conservation work to maintain it - ensuring it continues to play a central role in our health and wellbeing.

“We are also delighted that decisions concerning how 80 per cent of National Lottery funding will be distributed, will in future be taken locally.

“The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s Scottish board, staff and advisors will more fully understand the particular challenges that Scottish heritage faces and they should be in tune with country plans and priorities.”

This overhaul also includes plans to‘go beyond grants’to include loans and partnerships, which RSPB Scotland says will make lottery money work harder for heritage and create new opportunities.