Landscape Connections: Expressions of Interest Now Open
We are inviting land managers to submit an Expression of Interest for woodland restoration as part of the next stage of Landscape Connections. The initiative is moving into a major 18-month development phase, with the potential to unlock more than £9 million of future funding to restore and expand native woodland across the Park – from fragments of Scotland’s temperate rainforest to remnants of Caledonian pinewood.
As part of this work, participating land managers will have access to funding support, knowledge, and expertise to help develop their plans for nature restoration objectives.
The programme is supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, made possible thanks to National Lottery players and delivered in partnership with the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs Countryside Trust and RSPB Scotland.
Who can apply
Expressions of Interest are open to land managers who would like to explore opportunities for woodland creation or enhancement on their sites and sites do not need to contain existing native woodland to be considered. We want to hear from both small and large land owners.
Submitting your details helps us understand the scale of interest, the types of sites coming forward, and where additional development support may be required.
Please note that Landscape Connections cannot fund activities already covered by other schemes such as the Forestry Grant Scheme or Agri‑Environment Climate Scheme.
If you are interested in working towards Phase 1, please submit an Expression of Interest by Thursday 30 April.
Programme phases
- Phase 1 (2028–2032): Restoring priority woodland sites
- Phase 2 (2030–2034): Strengthening connections between woodland areas
- Phase 3 (2032–2036): Expanding native woodland across the wider landscape
Key areas for restoration
Priority areas across the National Park have been identified for their potential to support woodland recovery at scale. You can view these on the map below.
How submissions will be assessed
Sites will be reviewed during April and May by the Landscape Connections development partners. The review will consider:
- Which priority zone the site falls into
- Whether the location includes designated nature areas (e.g., Site of Special Scientific Interest)
- Presence of important, rare or threatened species
- Existing woodland or habitat management plans
- Existing herbivore management plans
- Collaboration with neighbouring land managers
- Ability to commit to a four‑year habitat management delivery plan (to be developed by spring 2027)
- Opportunities for community involvement
- Ability to secure complementary funding (e.g., FGS)
Answering “no” to any of these does not exclude a site.
Submit your Expression of Interest
Phase 1 Expression of Interest form
If you would like to discuss whether your site may be suitable, please contact the team for an informal conversation at FutureNature@lochlomond‑trossachs.org.
