Nature-Positive Economy

Helping to enable a thriving rural local economy in the Findhorn watershed

A vision for a regenerative rural economy, rooted in relationship to place

Our work at the Findhorn Watershed Initiative is underpinned by Scotland’s Just Transition Outcomes. We believe that making the changes that will be necessary as we seek to mitigate and adapt to the climate and nature crises, should be done so in a way which is fair and just - empowering and invigorating local watershed communities and strengthening the local economy in the process.

We are currently focussing our efforts in three key areas:

  • Building capacity for nature recovery through the provision of training, green jobs and support for nature-positive enterprise

    The Findhorn Watershed Initiative has already created a number of green jobs and contracts for local people, and will continue to create more throughout its duration. Wherever possible, we aim to prioritise celebrating local expertise and build community wealth by working with contractors based in or nearby to the Findhorn watershed.

    Alongside this we are also seeking to develop place-based training opportunities to build capacity within the watershed for important nature restoration activities, such as peatland restoration and deer management, as well as collaborating with existing nature-positive enterprises in the watershed area, and encouraging new ones to spring up.

  • Blended income from public, philanthropic and private nature finance benefits all inhabitants of the watershed

    A movement is underway across Scotland which allows the generation of income from nature restoration; through the creation of carbon and other environmental credits, as well as ‘ecosystem services’ such as natural flood alleviation.

    At the Findhorn, Nairn and Lossie Rivers Trust we are committed to ensuring that any interface we have with this emerging market is done so in a way which is as high-integrity and values led as possible, ensuring that an equitable share of any income generated is re-invested to benefit our local communities and ecosystems.

  • A watershed and Rivers Trust accelerating Scotland’s just transition towards a wellbeing economy

    The Findhorn Watershed Initiative is a place-based response to national and global challenges. We believe that river catchments, watersheds and bioregions offer natural and tangible units for reconnecting to a sense of place and engaging with restoring our ecological systems, whilst still providing the scale within which to have a positive impact proportionate to the urgency of the challenges we face.

    Through our integrated, watershed-scale approach we seek in inspire other watersheds and their communities across Scotland and beyond to follow in our footprints, and work together in a joined up effort to make our vital contribution towards a fairer, greener future for people and the planet.