Green Shores: Growing the capacity for saltmarsh restoration in Scotland

Blue Carbon Trust supports expanding restoration of saltmarsh across key Scottish estuaries

The Blue Carbon Trust is proud to co-fund the Green Shores project, a leading coastal habitat restoration initiative led by Dr. Clare Maynard, Dr. Haley Arnold and Dr. Helena Simmons at the University of St Andrews. This project aligns closely with Blue Carbon Trust’s mission to support natural climate solutions that preserve and restore vital coastal ecosystems, enhancing their capacity to sequester carbon and provide wide-ranging environmental and social benefits.

Saltmarshes represent some of the most efficient carbon sinks worldwide, with carbon burial rates up to fifty times greater than temperate forests. They also provide critical ecosystem services such as coastal defence, biodiversity support, water filtration, and create valuable recreational spaces for local communities. Recognising the urgent need to protect and restore these habitats, the Green Shores team is expanding restoration efforts across key Scottish estuaries, including the Eden Estuary, Dornoch Firth, and the Firth of Forth.

By investing in Green Shores, the Blue Carbon Trust supports a project that exemplifies our values of collaboration, innovation, and community engagement. The project uses cutting-edge surveys combining remote sensing and ground-based habitat monitoring, alongside detailed environmental assessments, to generate tailored restoration protocols. Green Shores’ commitment to working with local volunteer groups and stakeholders ensures that restoration efforts are community-led, sustainable, and enhance local ownership of natural capital.

This partnership supports our goal of accelerating blue carbon ecosystem restoration across Scotland, contributing to climate mitigation and nature recovery simultaneously. Green Shores’ holistic and data-driven approach not only increases the resilience and functionality of saltmarsh habitats but also builds capacity for future restoration ventures throughout the country. Together, we are nurturing Scotland’s blue carbon resources to support a climate-resilient and biodiversity-rich future.