Project L-and is a farmer-led, not-for-profit, social enterprise. Through collaboration it delivers nature restoration projects as part of a farm cluster model.
Project L-and is delivered and managed by the farmers themselves.
Guidance is provided by external advisors and an advisory group.
Land but with an emphasis on "and" to conjure...
... collaboration
... cooperation
... additionality
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Our aims
- Deliver environmental benefits such as: carbon sequestration, biodiversity uplift, natural flood management, connected landscapes and wildlife corridors.
- Develop solutions that ensure sustainable income streams for farmers and land-managers as well as protecting this value for future generations.
- Support the creation of new rural jobs helping to build a local supply chain to deliver these nature restoration projects.
- Improve the health, well-being and social benefit for local communities through greater nature awareness and education, improved access, and community engagement.
What is a farm cluster?
A farm cluster is group of farmers and land managers in a specific location who collaborate to improve ecosystems and wildlife conservation at a landscape-scale.
Farm clusters are about farmers working together, sharing knowledge, and coordinating their land management practices. They can deliver environmental benefits that extend beyond individual farm boundaries, increasing habitat connectivity, whilst building stronger relationships within the farming community.
If we are to restore biodiversity in Scotland, we will need to increase responsible investment in nature. Innovative funding models that stimulate nature recovery and strengthen community resilience to climate impacts can demonstrate ways to do that. That's why funding for this collaborative FIRNS project in the Pentland Hills is important especially as it has the potential to revive nature-rich woodland, peatland, wetland and soils as well as support the wellbeing of many people.NatureScot CEO, Nick Halfhide
Where we are
The current project is based in Pentland Hills, eleven miles southwest of Edinburgh.
The total area is around 5,000 hectares and comprises five independent farms and estates.
our locationWorking together
Nature thrives within large, connected habitats - but the average farm in Scotland is only 112 hectares. For the required scale, farmers and land managers must work together. The cluster approach seeks to create scale both for nature, investment and capacity management.
We have jointly created the first collaborative “Wildlife Estate” in Europe. Wildlife Estate Scotland (WES) promotes best practice in wildlife and habitat management.
A genuinely collaborative approach to deliver for nature, climate and people - using a a range of stakeholders to help support decision making for a group of driven land managers that are clearly determined to make a difference.Dan Brown - RSPB
Funded through innovation.
This project is supported by NatureScot in collaboration with The Scottish Government through The Facility for Investment Ready Nature in Scotland (FIRNS).
FIRNS is about finding new income streams to fund nature enhancement projects and creating a pipeline of investable projects for private finance. Our cluster approach has been specifically mentioned in Scottish Government’s Natural Capital Framework as a model for aggregating small projects to achieve the necessary scale for market participation.
Our project aligns with the Scottish Government's Biodiversity Investment Plan which sets out the actions needed to mobilise public, private, and philanthropic finance to deliver a nature-positive future.
As we tackle the climate-nature crisis with a growing urgency, everyone has the responsibility to get us to net zero. Funding for Project L-and is part of our commitment to offer communities, companies, charities and individuals across Scotland the opportunity to develop bold business cases and financial models which will attract the investment required to restore nature. I’m inspired by the creativity and ambition of projects such as Project L-and which will help us scale up our efforts to halt biodiversity loss and create a nature-rich country for us all. A thriving natural capital market …is great for communities and great for nature.NatureScot Chief Executive - Francesca Osowska
Advisory Group
We have formed an advisory group with representation from the following organisations: