Adapt the planning and management of NNRs in response to the impacts of climate change on nature, putting in place refreshed management plans for NNRs.
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
National Nature Reserves (NNRs), managed by NatureScot, operate under site-specific management plans and management statements which are reviewed and updated on an ongoing, site-by-site basis rather than through a single coordinated national refresh programme.
NatureScot’s National Nature Reserve Strategy (2025–2035) sets a stronger strategic direction for reserves, with increased emphasis on climate resilience, adaptive management and nature recovery outcomes. However, this represents a policy direction rather than evidence of full system-wide implementation of refreshed management plans across the NNR estate.
Protected area guidance and Site Condition Monitoring demonstrate that management interventions are informed by condition monitoring and are updated in response to changing site conditions, including climate-related pressures. Overall, climate adaptation is increasingly being integrated into NNR management, but this is occurring through incremental, site-level updates rather than a completed national programme of refreshed management plans across all NNRs.
Climate adaptation is being integrated but not yet delivered through a coordinated refresh programme. NatureScot currently updates National Nature Reserve management plans at site level, meaning climate-related changes are being incorporated incrementally rather than through a single national reset. The 2025–2035 NNR Strategy strengthens expectations around resilience and adaptive management, but there is no published timetable ensuring all reserves receive refreshed, climate-informed plans. Good delivery would be a timebound national programme ensuring all NNR management plans are updated with consistent climate risk assessment and adaptive management actions, with clear evidence that these updates are directly shaping on-the-ground decisions.
NatureScot – National Nature Reserves
NatureScot – National Nature Reserve Management Plan Consultation
NatureScot – Site Condition Monitoring
NatureScot Board Paper – National Nature Reserve Strategy (2025–2035)
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