Restoration Forth
A project with communities and organisations to restore seagrass meadows and European flat oysters in the Firth of Forth.
A major marine restoration programme
A major marine restoration programme
Restoration Forth is a major marine restoration programme working with communities to restore seagrass habitats and European flat oyster populations in the Firth of Forth.
Restoration Forth will create a toolkit for marine restoration - inspiring communities in delivering further marine restoration efforts across Scotland, securing by 2030 at least 42 hectares of critical coastal habitat restored in the Firth of Forth, and influencing Scottish Government policy for stronger marine protection.
In 2022, the Restoration Forth partners completed habitat suitability assessments and comprehensive stakeholder consultations to determine the restoration sites and began working with communities. By the end of 2023, the project restored 1 hectare of seagrass and deployed the first European flat oysters into the Firth of Forth in 100 years. The project also trained hundreds of local community members in restoration techniques and skills.
By the close of the project in 2024, the project will have restored 4 hectares of seagrass and 30,000 European flat oysters.
This three year programme has been made possible by funding from Aviva, the ScottishPower Foundation, the Moondance Foundation, the estate of the late Ella MacGregor, and supported by the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund, through Scottish Marine Environmental Enhancement Fund (SMEEF) facilitated grants.
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© Maverick Photo Agency
Your views are very important to us and we take any feedback we receive seriously.
If you are unhappy or would like to comment on the project please do so here.
Upcoming Events
We are running events and activities this year to spread the word about the project. Join us to find out about your local marine environment and what you can do for its future and yours.
28 July | Seagrass Snorkelling with Restoration Forth, Orkney
Date: Sunday 28th July
Time: 9am - 11am
Location: Finstown, Orkney
Join the Restoration Forth team for a guided snorkel session to discover what lies beneath the waves and explore the magical creatures ofound in Orkney's seagrass meadows. Discover why seagrass meadows are known to be biodiversity hotspots, whilst swimming amongst anemones, fish, sea hares and starfish which all call seagrass their home. Learn more about the importance of Orkney seagrass meadows and how they are playing a vital role in seagrass restoration in the Firth of Forth.
Please note, you will need to have your own snorkeling equipment to take part in this activity.
1 August | Family Friendly Oyster Fun, Cramond
Date: Thursday 1st August
Time: 3-4pm
Location: Cramond Beach, Cramond, EH4 6NU
Would you like to learn more about oysters and create some oyster art?
On this family friendly session we will teach you how to identify oyster shells, take part in our oyster surveys and have some fun creating oyster art on the beach.
We have developed a citizen science tool, the Restoration Forth Monitoring Guide, to help us identify locations that would be most suitable for oyster restoration. During this session we will show you how to carry out two surveys from this guide. Both surveys are family friendly and can be done anywhere around the Firth of Forth!
This activity is suitable for children aged 5+ and all children must be accompanied by an adult on the activity.
1 August | Restoration Forth Monitoring Guide, Granton
Date: Thursday 1st August
Time: 6-7pm
Location: Wardie Bay, 92 Lower Granton Road, Edinburgh, EH5 1ER
Would you like to learn how to identify oyster shells and beach habitats to help us restore the Firth of Forth?
We have developed a citizen science tool, the Restoration Forth Monitoring Guide, to help us collect important information needed for oyster restoration.
During this session we will show you how to carry out two surveys that will help us identify locations to restore oysters. The first survey will teach you how to identify oyster shells. The second will show you how to identify different beach habitats.
This Restoration Forth Monitoring Guide session will provide you with the skills to carry out these surveys and contribute to our work restoring oysters to the Firth of Forth.
3 August | Seagrass Snorkelling with Restoration Forth, Orkney
Date: Saturday 3rd August
Time: 3pm - 5pm
Location: Finstown, Orkney
Join the Restoration Forth team for a guided snorkel session to discover what lies beneath the waves and explore the magical creatures ofound in Orkney's seagrass meadows. Discover why seagrass meadows are known to be biodiversity hotspots, whilst swimming amongst anemones, fish, sea hares and starfish which all call seagrass their home. Learn more about the importance of Orkney seagrass meadows and how they are playing a vital role in seagrass restoration in the Firth of Forth.
Please note, you will need to have your own snorkeling equipment to take part in this activity.
4 August | Seagrass Snorkelling with Restoration Forth, Orkney
Date: Sunday 4th August
Time: 3:30pm - 5:30pm
Location: Finstown, Orkney
Join the Restoration Forth team for a guided snorkel session to discover what lies beneath the waves and explore the magical creatures ofound in Orkney's seagrass meadows. Discover why seagrass meadows are known to be biodiversity hotspots, whilst swimming amongst anemones, fish, sea hares and starfish which all call seagrass their home. Learn more about the importance of Orkney seagrass meadows and how they are playing a vital role in seagrass restoration in the Firth of Forth.
Please note, you will need to have your own snorkeling equipment to take part in this activity.
8 August | Family Friendly Oyster Fun, Longniddry
Date: Thursday 8th August
Time: 10:30-11:30am
Location: Longniddry Bents 2, 19 Links Road Longniddry, EH32 0NL
Would you like to learn more about oysters and create some oyster art?
On this family friendly session we will teach you how to identify oyster shells, take part in our oyster surveys and have some fun creating oyster art on the beach.
We have developed a citizen science tool, the Restoration Forth Monitoring Guide, to help us identify locations that would be most suitable for oyster restoration. During this session we will show you how to carry out two surveys from this guide. Both surveys are family friendly and can be done anywhere around the Firth of Forth!
This activity is suitable for children aged 5+ and all children must be accompanied by an adult on the activity.
Take Action
Restoration Forth aims to empower communities around the Firth of Forth to become champions for their local environment. Whether you're advocating for better nature protection or participating in citizen science, there are many ways you can make a real impact. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
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© Lyle BoyleMore Scotland Loves Nature
Restoration Forth shows what’s possible when communities unite for nature recovery! Join us in calling on the Scottish Government to bring forward a Natural Environment Bill, which will drive similar projects in future.
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© Jamie McDermaidMore Seagrass Monitoring
Protect ocean habitats by spending an hour exploring Scottish coastlines and record any seagrass you spot.
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© Emily AnnandMore Oyster and Oyster Habitat Monitoring
Join the hunt for historic oyster beds! Head to your local beach and tell us how many shells you find.
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To find out more and get involved contact your nearest hub
Project Partners
Funding Partners
The estate of the late Ella MacGregor