Restoring Scotland's Nature

That the Parliament welcomes the awarding of £7.8 million to 14 projects across Scotland in the most recent round of funding from the Nature Restoration Fund in spring 2024, including in the Highlands and Islands region; notes that the Nature Restoration Fund, established as part of the Bute House Agreement, comprises of a total of £65 million that is being allocated to projects that tackle biodiversity loss across the current parliamentary session; further notes that the funding to date is supporting woodland creation, wetland protection, river catchment restoration, marine species recovery and grasslands across the country; understands, with concern, that Scotland is one of most nature-depleted countries in the world according to the Biodiversity Intactness Indicator, and that nature is in crisis; notes the belief that the Scottish Government’s proposed Natural Environment Bill will be crucial for enabling actions to halt biodiversity decline, including deer management and nature recovery targets, and awaits its introduction.