Jim Hume, Liberal Democrat MSP for the South of Scotland, has commented on news that a Dumfriesshire native woodland project will receive over £800,000 through Rural Priorities.
Coshogle which is a site of special scientific interest (SSSI) will receive the money to create a native woodland.
Jim Hume, Lib Dem MSP and former Borders Forest Trustee, said:
"The value of these funds to our rural communities is immense and the latest awards demonstrate once more the variety of projects that have come to rely on the funding available under SRDP; projects which are so important to so many communities across the South of Scotland.
"The benefits of a native woodland are that it will support a wider range of plants and animals than introduced species. For example, oak, willow and birch all support over 200 native insect species, compared to 19 present on larch; it will be more likely to thrive than most introduced species, particularly in more challenging conditions; and they native tress produce more sustainable economic benefits, whether from quality hardwood timber or as a multitude of coppice wood and non-timber forest products.
"Whilst always bearing in mind the need for a sensible land use balance, this successful bid is welcome."
Follow the party's activity on...