South Scotland MSP Joan McAlpine is backing a last-minute fundraising drive to save a Langholm land buy-out that’s facing a funding deadline at the end of the month. And she’s reaching out to nature lovers to chip in to help get the project over the line.
The Langholm Initiative charity has already raised £3.6million of a £4.2million target to buy the site at Langholm Moor. But they have just weeks left to find the remaining funds or they’ll have to return cash already pledged by the Scottish Land Fund.
The local MSP’s intervention follows a meeting this week with the group who are hoping to set up a community owned nature reserve at Langholm Moor, which will protect wildlife, tackle climate change, and support community regeneration. They hope the project could inspire other similar initiatives across the UK, and they still believe their target is within reach.
The team have two purchase options agreed with the seller – one at 10,500 acres jointly valued at £6m and the other option at 5,200 acres jointly valued at £4.2m. The second option is now within touching distance and leaves the Langholm Initiative with just £600,000 to find before the deadline at the end of this month, something they say can still be achieved.
The deal would enable the group to deliver all their original objectives like the preservation of native woodland, peatland restoration, a reserve for hen harriers and new renewable energy schemes, while still continuing to develop revenue streams to secure long term sustainability.
Commenting, Ms McAlpine said,
“It was great to chat with Kevin and the team and to hear how close they have come to realising their dream of creating a nature reserve on the moor at Langholm. They’ve done an incredible job so far, raising well over £3 million from the Scottish Land Fund, South of Scotland Enterprise and the John Muir Trust, as well as dozens of donations from local well-wishers.
“They are within touching distance of their target and the thing they don’t want to do is give all that money back and start from scratch, when everyone has worked so hard to reach their goal.
“This is a fantastic project which has caught the imaginations of groups from all across Scotland and beyond – even children from a primary school in Glasgow whose donation has led to a new relationship with local primary schools in Eskdale. These are the kind of thing that make community projects like this so valuable.
“Times are hard but if there are any nature lovers, conservation groups or bird watchers with some cash to spare, please consider giving a little to this group to help them reach their target before time runs out at the end of October.”
If you wish to donate please click the link below
https://www.gofundme.com/f/langholm-moor-buyout?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet
