The Blueprint Project

The Riverwoods Blueprint Project lies at the core of the Riverwoods partnership. In 2024 the Blueprint Project, led by the Scottish Wildlife Trust, was awarded £1.8 million in funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to support the delivery of a four-year £3.5 million programme to create a practical blueprint for river woodland restoration across Scotland.

The project was proceeded by a development phase, during which we worked with Riverwoods partners to conduct research and devise a strategic plan for river woodland creation and restoration at scale.

Now in the delivery phase, the Blueprint Project is delivering:

TREES IN THE GROUND:  

Demonstrating how to achieve meaningful restoration in collaboration with local communities across different catchments.

FUNDING FOR A PIPELINE OF NEW PROJECTS:

The Riverwoods Development Grant addresses an essential first step in enhancing local river health and will kickstart a pipeline of new restoration projects across Scotland​.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TO THE WHOLE CATCHMENT:

Targeted and strategic methods and resources to engage members of the community on a journey towards practical riparian restoration and conservation.​

HEIGHTENED COLLABORATION:   

The Digital Centre of Excellence will provide a space for knowledge and ​data sharing, best practice guidance, and centralised resources. ​

STANDARDISED MEASURING AND MONITORING:

A measuring and monitoring framework and protocols to support project evaluation. ​

The Riverwoods Blueprint Project is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund, thanks to National Lottery Players.
The National Lottery Heritage Fund is the largest funder for the UK’s heritage. Using money raised by National Lottery players we support projects that connect people and communities to heritage.
Our vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future. From historic buildings, our industrial legacy and the natural environment, to collections, traditions, stories and more. Heritage can be anything from the past that people value and want to pass on to future generations.
We believe in the power of heritage to ignite the imagination, offer joy and inspiration, and to build pride in place and connection to the past

The Blueprint Project Team

The Blueprint Project is delivered by the following staff team:

  • Riverwoods Project Manager
  • Riverwoods Partnership Support Officer
  • Riverwoods Knowledge and Evidence Officer
  • Riverwoods Communications and Advocacy Lead
  • Riverwoods Community Engagement Officer
  • Tweed Riparian Improvements Project Officer
  • Kyle Riverwoods Restoration Officer
  • Spey Tributaries Project Officer

You can get in touch with us at riverwoods@scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk

Riverwoods Blueprint Project Partners

The Blueprint Project is led by the Scottish Wildlife Trust in partnership with Fisheries Management Scotland, Woodland Trust Scotland, Buglife, Tweed Forum, Kyle of Sutherland Rivers Trust and Spey Catchment Initiative. 

Riverwoods

The Blueprint Project is one project stream under the wider Riverwoods initiative. Learn how the Blueprint Project feeds into the wider aims of the partnership.

About Riverwoods