Environment

AECS and Pains – Getting to Grips with Agri-Environment Schemes

Are you trying to get to grips with the Agri-Environment and Climate Scheme (AECS), or wondering how managing your land differently could impact production?

This practical event will look at ‘win-win’ situations, where agri-environmental management can benefit both wildlife and production, e.g. field margins increasing the number of insects, which pollinate plants or compete with pests, thereby boosting yield.

You will also spend time exploring some of the practicalities and challenges associated with applying for and managing land under an AECS scheme.

The Scottish Government is currently consulting the public on the future of unconventional oil and gas extraction in Scotland.

Studies have shown that Scotland’s geology, and in particular a stretch of land through Scotland’s central belt contains significant quantities of shale gas and oil, and coal bed methane. 

The Agri-Environment and Climate Scheme (AECS) has opened for applications today (30 January 2017).

AECS is part of the Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP). The AECS scheme promotes land management practices which protect and enhance Scotland’s magnificent natural heritage, improve water quality, manage flood risk and mitigate and adapt to climate change. It will also help to improve public access and preserve historic sites.

Making the Most of the Coast
Name of organisation/business: 
Solway Firth Partnership
Funding: 
Dumfries & Galloway LEADER: £89,598 and funding from Dumfries and Galloway Council, The Crown Estate, The Robertson Trust, Solway Firth Partnership and in kind from volunteers

Transport Scotland’s Low Carbon Travel and Transport Challenge Fund (LCTT Challenge Fund) is now open for applications.

The Energy Saving Trust has been appointed by Transport Scotland to administer the fund.

Public, community and third sector organisations can apply for funding under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) 2014-2020 Programme to facilitate the delivery of active travel and low carbon transport hubs.

Are you planning on doing any agri-environmental management in 2017?

This could be part of an Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS) scheme, a greening measure, or just a desire to do something different. Want to know if your management makes a difference? Soil Association Scotland can help you find out! 

Soil Association Scotland's 'Future Farming Scotland' programme has won one of RSPB's prestigious Nature of Scotland Awards.

At the recent Nature of Scotland Awards ceremony, the 'Future Farming Scotland' programme took home the prize for the 'Food and Farming' category.

Take part in Scottish Wildcat Action's survey for cat owners and be in with the chance of winning some great prizes.

Cat owners across Scotland are being encouraged to take part in the survey which will help Scottish Wildcat Action's work.

Angus delegates, interested in driving forward rural skills in Angus, participated in a learning visit to Fife Rural Skills partnership recently.

It was really useful to hear how the work of the partnership has developed over the last few years and a number of new connections were made.  

One Angus delegate said:

"I was inspired by today's visit and see many opportunities for work to be developed in Angus."

Dumfries and Galloway Local Action Group had their latest meeting on 17 November 2016 and approved three projects, awarding £178,949.95 in total. 

The projects awarded funding were:

Kirkcudbright Galleries Project | Applicant: Dumfries and Galloway Council 

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