Bright Green Nature is a Scottish Borders-based charity dedicated to restoring natural habitats and connecting communities with nature. Through initiatives like the ‘Wild Your Space’ microgrant programme, they empower communities, families, and schools to enhance local biodiversity. Their hands-on projects foster environmental stewardship and community engagement, creating a lasting impact on both people and the planet.
Established in 2022, Bright Green Nature focuses on environmental conservation, ecosystem restoration, and community outreach. Their mission is to protect, restore, and connect natural ecosystems, providing opportunities for people to develop nature-based knowledge, skills, and well-being. The charity operates as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO), regulated by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator.
One of their key initiatives is the ‘Wild Your Space’ microgrant programme, which offers grants of up to £350 to households, schools, and community groups in the Scottish Borders. This programme encourages participants to restore natural places, benefiting native wildlife and connecting habitats with other similar habitats, including gardens. By supporting schools, families, and community groups across the region, Bright Green Nature empowers individuals to rewild their gardens, balconies, and other small green spaces, fostering biodiversity and a deeper connection with nature.
In addition to the microgrant programme, Bright Green Nature engages in various restoration projects. They have completed the second phase of wetland restoration at their Deer Park and Haining sites in Selkirk, aiming to create healthy habitats for native species such as the great crested newt. Funded by the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund, this project involves restoring natural water flow patterns, managing vegetation, and engaging local communities through educational programmes and volunteer opportunities.
The charity has a number of partnerships to expand and enhance its impact, including a Lottery funded partnership with Northumberland Wildlife Trust in its cross-Border landscape scale red squirrel conservation programme and a Scottish Government funded climate engagement programme with Scottish Borders Climate Action Network to engage local communities in nature restoration to mitigate against local climatic impacts.
Bright Green Nature’s governance structure includes a Board of Trustees responsible for overseeing the charity’s strategic direction and ensuring effective management. The charity has received support from various funders, including the Garfield Weston Foundation, which awarded a core grant to strengthen operational infrastructure and expand outreach efforts.
Looking ahead, Bright Green Nature continues to expand its programmes and partnerships, aiming to create a wilder, healthier Scotland. Their work is rooted in community engagement and environmental stewardship, ensuring a lasting impact on both people and the planet.
