DONATIONS are urgently needed ‘to make history happen’ as South Scotland’s biggest community buyout battle enters its final fortnight.
People are being urged to continue donating to a public crowd funder for the Langholm Initiative to purchase 5,300 acres of Langholm Moor from Buccleuch.
The Langholm charity has until July 31 to raise £2.2 million for the purchase.
The public crowd funder has attracted thousands of people worldwide, surging past its £200,000 target.
Last month, the Scottish Land Fund awarded the Langholm Initiative charity £1 million towards the buyout.
Success would double the size of the community-owned Tarras Valley Nature Reserve, helping to tackle the nature and climate emergencies while boosting community regeneration
Speaking about the final push towards their fundraising target, Tarras Valley Nature Reserve’s Estate Manager, Jenny Barlow said: “We need one last big push to help make history happen and get us over the line. We are urging major donors to come forward, and asking people to keep donating to our crowdfunder. Every pound gets us one step closer.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to purchase this land for people and planet. It really is now or never for one of the UK’s largest community-led nature recovery projects to double its scale.”
The Tarras Valley Nature Reserve was established in 2021, following the successful first stage of the community buyout.
This saw the community defy the odds to raise £3.8 million to buy 5,200 acres and six residential properties from Buccleuch in March 2021.
On the reserve, globally important peatlands and ancient woods are being restored, native woodlands established, and a haven ensured for wildlife including hen harrier, short-eared owl and merlin.
Several leading environmental and wildlife charities support the buyout including Borders Forest Trust, John Muir Trust, Rewilding Britain, RSPB Scotland, Scottish Wildlife Trust, Trees for Life, and the Woodland Trust.
Buccleuch has supported the community bid, agreeing with The Langholm Initiative a fixed purchase price in 2019 and extending fundraising deadlines.
The crowdfunder can be supported at: bit.ly/LangholmMoorAppeal.
