Saving the small things that run the planet
Invitation for landowners along The River Tweed to receive support for pollinator habitat creation
Buglife has an exciting opportunity for landowners and land managers along the River Tweed to get involved with pollinator-friendly habitat enhancements through Pollinators Along The Tweed, a partnership project, led by Buglife as part of Destination Tweed, a source-to-sea river revitalisation project.
Project Background and Habitat Creation Possibilities
Working with the local authority, landowners and communities, Pollinators Along the Tweed is creating and restoring up to 40 hectares of pollinator habitat across 50 sites. To date we have worked with a variety of landowners to create and enhance over 22 hectares of wildflower rich habitat, primarily species-rich grassland, across 33 sites and we are now looking for new landowners to work with in 2026 for the next phase of habitat creation. Therefore, if you own or manage land close to the River Tweed and would like to improve your site for pollinators, you may be eligible to sign onto the project and receive support for habitat improvements.
Full conditions of eligibility can be found below, and if met, the full cost of habitat work will be covered through the project once the landowners signs on to manage the site for pollinators for a minimum of ten years. Typically, this management involves an annual cut and collect of the grassland, but this can vary depending on what works have been carried out. Habitat work is primarily focused on species-rich grassland creation but there is also scope for hedgerow establishment. All potential sites will first be visited to assess their suitability for works through the project and all potential works will be discussed at length with the landowners.
Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria and conditions of funding are as follows:
- The site should be located within 2km of the River Tweed or within 2km of the River Annan north of Moffat, see map for eligible areas.
- The area to be considered for works must be at least 0.5ha in size.
- The landowner must sign a ten year agreement committing to manage the site appropriately for a minimum of ten years.
- No pesticides or herbicides can be used onsite.
- The project will cover all agreed meadow establishment costs but the ongoing management is the financial responsibility of the landowner.
If you think your site may be eligible and you’re interested in learning more or getting involved, please contact the project conservation officer Kate, at Kate.O’[email protected] by Tuesday 31 March. Please note however, we can only work with a limited amount of landowners each year so support will be allocated on a first come first served basis.
Project Funding
Running from November 2022 to May 2027, Pollinators Along the Tweed is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, with match funding from AEB Charitable Trust, Craignish Trust, Fallago Environment Fund, J. & J.R. Wilson Trust, Milkywire, NatureScot, Northumbrian Water Group and ScottishPower Foundation.
Pollinators Along the Tweed is part of Destination Tweed, a wider partnership project led by Tweed Forum delivering cultural, river and landscape enhancement projects along the River Tweed.
Buglife will be working with a range of partners, landowners and communities along the River Tweed, in Scotland and England. Partners include Scottish Borders Council, Borders Forest Trust, Norham Development Trust, English Heritage, Greener Melrose, Tweedsmuir Community Company, Peebles Golf Club and others.
Bilberry Bumblebee (Bombus monticola) © Charlotte Rankin