SSEN Transmission has unveiled a partnership with nature charity Scotland: The Big Picture to help power nature restoration efforts in the north of Scotland.
In a “landmark partnership”, SSEN Transmission, the electricity transmission network operator for the north of Scotland, is pledging to support the charity’s Northwoods Rewilding Network, a Scotland-wide chain of landholdings which are all committed to nature recovery.
Northwoods creates a community of land partners throughout the country who share a vision for an ecologically restored landscape.
The charity steps in by providing funding and guidance to landowners to help them carry out the ecological nature restoration they envisioned for their land.
There are over 85 landholdings involved in Northwoods spread throughout Scotland, and the majority are considered small or medium sized – from working farms and crofts to community woodlands.
Together, this network is creating ecological stepping stones throughout the country – places where wildlife and people thrive.
With £20bn of investment planned to carry out a programme of essential electricity transmission upgrades throughout Scotland – known as the Pathway to 2030 projects – SSEN Transmission is “determined to ensure it puts sustainability at the forefront of its plans, with a strong commitment to ensure the natural environment is protected at every step”.
Emily Johns, SSEN Transmission’s nature positive strategy manager, said: “This is a huge step forward for SSEN Transmission in becoming the first energy company to partner with SCOTLAND: The Big Picture, who are experts in nature restoration in Scotland.
“Not only is their knowledge about Scotland’s unique nature immensely valuable, but their extensive understanding of the social and cultural context of the land use in the Northwoods Rewilding Network is of huge significance – we want to make sure that we can play our part in building a community of nature restoration throughout the country.
“By creating a network of ecological stepping stones throughout the north of Scotland, it means wildlife species can link from place to place with the right habitats available for them to grow and thrive.”
In other news a stretch of footpath almost one kilometre long in Kilmory near Lochgilphead has been upgraded by SSEN Transmission to help provide a safe new access for members of the community.
Once cleared, the pathway was resurfaced to make for easier travel for walkers, wheelchair users, cyclists and horse riders.
The path connects the Kilmory industrial estate into the nearby community woodland area and Duncholgan Community caravan park, providing a safe alternative to reaching the town rather than travelling along the A83.
The path’s upgrade comes as another major milestone is reached in the development of the new Craig Murrail substation north of Lochgilphead, with a ceremonial turf-cutting to mark the start of full site mobilisation taking place in late November.