Actively use the NNR suite to develop, deliver and demonstrate best practice in wildlife management, putting in place five demonstration examples.
Objective 2: Protect nature on land and at sea, across and beyond Protected Areas
Priority Action 10. Fulfil the potential of National Nature Reserves (NNRs) for nature recovery
NatureScot has outlined five proposed demonstration examples of best practice in wildlife management across the National Nature Reserve (NNR) suite in its strategic plan for NNRs (2025–2035), as referenced in a June 2025 Board paper. This indicates progress towards identifying how NNRs can be used as demonstration sites for improved wildlife management approaches, including tackling key pressures such as invasive species, grazing impacts and habitat restoration. However, these examples are currently set out at a strategic level, and there is limited publicly available detail on:
– the specific sites selected
– the management interventions being implemented
– measurable outcomes or monitoring frameworks
As a result, while the direction of travel is clear, delivery remains at an early stage, and it is not yet possible to assess whether these demonstration examples are operational or delivering measurable biodiversity outcomes in practice.
Clear intent but limited evidence of operational demonstration delivery. NatureScot has set out five proposed demonstration examples within the National Nature Reserve suite to trial improved wildlife management approaches, including invasive species control, grazing pressure management and habitat restoration. This establishes a framework for applied practice, but the detail on site selection, interventions and monitoring remains limited in the public domain. At present, these examples are not yet evidenced as functioning operational demonstration sites with recorded ecological outcomes or published performance data. The main gap is the absence of transparent implementation reporting and measurable results linked to the proposed model.
Good delivery would show defined sites with active, ongoing management interventions supported by consistent monitoring evidence demonstrating measurable improvements in habitat condition and species response, alongside clear transfer of methods into wider protected area management practice.
NatureScot Board Paper – Strategic Plan for National Nature Reserves (2025–2035)
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