Grantee: Kintyre Coastal Network

Duration:  33 months (July 2025 – March 2028) 

 

Background

Seagrass meadows are crucial habitats for increasing biodiversity, sequestering carbon, and supporting local fisheries. Efforts to restore these species are underway in Scotland, through Seawilding in Argyll, Mossy Earth around the Cromarty Firth, and Restoration Forth in the Firth of Forth.

These projects have demonstrated the value of community engagement in underpinning the long-term success of marine restoration efforts. From a practical perspective, volunteers are crucial for the labour intensive tasks such as seed harvesting and processing. More generally, the tangible and exciting nature of seagrass restoration offers a fantastic opportunity for adults and children alike to engage with, and be inspired by, local marine environments.

The Project

Kintyre Coastal Network is a recently established marine regeneration group based in South Kintyre, Argyll. They have just started a seagrass restoration project, funded by SMEEF, aiming to restore 1 hectare of seagrass around Carradale and Torrisdale bays.

This HIEF grant will enable Kintyre Coastal Network to expand the community engagement side of the project. At first, this will involve community outreach events, and a series of talks and presentations with local groups and schools.