Carrifran Wildwood is a bold initiative in ecological restoration, spearheaded by the Wildwood Group. The idea is to re-create an extensive tract of wild and largely forested land, evoking the pristine countryside of six thousand years ago. Once again there will be a home for Scottish trees, flowers, birds, mammals and insects that for centuries have been almost excluded from these denuded hills.

The Sustainable Action Fund was set up under the Environment Act 1990 with the objective of funding research, demonstration projects and other relevant activities in support of sustainable development in Scotland. Money is given in the form of core funding or grant funding. Past projects which have secured grant-funding have been innovative, easily replicable, promoted good ideas and practice and encouraged people to behave sustainably.

The Aggregates Levy is a UK environmental tax on the commercial exploitation of aggregate (sand, gravel and rock, with some exceptions). In Scotland, a percentage of the Levy is redistributed amongst some major environmental projects and to projects in areas affected by aggregate extraction to enable communities most affected to renew the surrounding area.

The Scottish Executive has established a Strategic Waste Fund for local authorities to implement Area Waste Plans under the National Waste Strategy.

The Landfill Tax Credit Scheme was designed to help mitigate the effects of landfill upon local communities. It encourages partnerships between landfill operators, their local communities and the voluntary and public sectors.

New Opportunities Fund - "Transforming Your Space"
This £5.25 million scheme will support projects that enable communities to deal with environmental issues effecting the quality of their daily lives, such as making their local environment safer, healthier, cleaner etc. The programme, launched on 4 February 2003, is delivered by their award partners, Fresh Futures. The application form and guidance notes are available on the Fresh Futures website (www.fresh-futures.org.uk).

The Small Grants Scheme distributes funds to constituted groups who wish to pursue an environmental project. The maximum grant available is £1,000 and Forward Scotland will normally fund up to 75% of the cost of the project.. However, "in kind" contributions can be considered as counting towards the total cost.