202402-Cairn-Issue-4-06-ONLINE - Flipbook - Page 4
Cairngorms 2030
Net zero National Park
First Minister Humza Yousaf
and Minister for Green
Skills, Circular Economy and
Biodiversity Lorna Slater visited
Mar Lodge Estate in Braemar
to celebrate a major funding
award for the Cairngorms
National Park.
The 昀椀ve-year Cairngorms 2030
programme – which will see the
Cairngorms become the 昀椀rst net zero
national park in the UK – has been
awarded £10.7m by The National
Lottery Heritage Fund. It will inspire
people and communities in the region
to take action and tackle the nature
and climate crisis.
Cairngorms 2030 is one of the largest
programmes ever funded by The
4 cairn spring 2024
National Lottery Heritage Fund and
brings together 20 long-term projects
on nature restoration, active travel
and sustainable transport, community
development and health and wellbeing
(see page 14 for details). The total value
of the programme could reach up to
£42.3 million over the next 昀椀ve years, with
further funding potentially coming from
the Park Authority, Scottish Government
and a range of other partners.
Speaking after planting a native aspen
tree with National Park Junior Rangers
Anna and Katherine Par昀椀tt, Humza Yousaf
said: “Scotland’s national parks are more
important than ever in helping us tackle
the biodiversity and climate crises – and
strengthening our rural communities.
“We are proud to support the
Cairngorms to become the UK’s 昀椀rst
net zero national park. The Cairngorms
2030 project is an excellent example of
over 70 partners working together to
deliver bene昀椀ts for rural communities,
businesses and the natural environment.”
Led by the Park Authority, the
programme will be delivered by
partners ranging from the NHS
and local schools to charities, land
managers and business groups. It has
been shaped by feedback from over
4,000 residents within the National
Park, who took part in nearly 150
different events and activities over
the past 12 months.
To see how you can get involved
in the next stage of
Cairngorms 2030
or to 昀椀nd out
more about
the programme,
Scan the QR code.