LINK Thinks

LINK Thinks is a space for members and others to express their views about Scotland’s environment. If you would like to contribute a blog please contact information@scotlink.org. The opinions expressed in this blog are the author's and not necessarily those of the wider LINK membership.

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‘Bee inspired by nature to nourish us all’

20 May 2025

Bees are some of Scotland’s most loved insects. They can be found buzzing around our gardens, in grasslands, on our coasts, in wetlands and even up mountains. Whilst many will be familiar with one species in particular – the honeybee – bees are in fact very diverse: they come in many different sizes, rely on […]

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Putting Plants and Fungi at the heart of Nature Networks

14 May 2025

Guest blog from Plantlife Scotland Nature Networks are starting to take root across Scotland – and wild plants and fungi are finally getting the attention they deserve.   Plantlife Scotland have published guidance that offers practical recommendations to put plants and fungi at the heart of Nature Network plans. Bringing these essential groups into nature-recovery […]

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The Natural Environment Bill part 3 – National Parks

09 May 2025

This is the third in a series of blogs looking at the Natural Environment Bill. Part 1 is available here and Part 2 is available here. Most of the political energy around National Parks in recent years has related to the Scottish Government’s commitment to establish at least one new Park by the end of […]

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The Natural Environment Bill part 2 – Powers to modify environmental regulation

01 May 2025

This is the second in a series of blogs looking at the Natural Environment Bill. Part 1 is available here. In what is overall a positive piece of legislation, Part 2 of the Natural Environment Bill has raised considerable concerns within the environmental sector. The Bill as introduced would give Ministers the power to amend […]

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The Natural Environment Bill part 1 – targets

24 Apr 2025

This is the first in a series of blogs looking at the Natural Environment Bill. The Natural Environment Bill, introduced in February and currently undergoing parliamentary scrutiny, will introduce legal targets for nature restoration as well as making changes to National Parks, deer management, and the powers to modify environmental protections. This blog will consider […]

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UK ministers must not miss chance to heed devolution

11 Apr 2025

This first appeared in The National, on Saturday 5th April 2025. When Scotland votes in the Holyrood election next year there will be voters casting their ballot who were born in 2010, when Scotland had its fourth First Minister and was preparing for the fourth election of the devolution era. Devolution is not new – […]

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The final EDI Fortnight – ensuring nature is for all

02 Apr 2025

By Leigh Abbott, Nature for All Officer at Scottish Environment LINK The final EDI Fortnight as part of the Nature for All project  begins in less than a week’s time, and we are very excited to learn, share, and change our practices to put diversity and inclusion at the forefront of our work in the […]

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The Natural Environment Bill must deliver effective reform of deer management in Scotland

19 Mar 2025

By Duncan Orr-Ewing, Convener of LINK’s Deer Group Over the past eighty years there have been no less than seven separate Government-appointed inquiries into the “red deer problem”.  By 2010, red deer numbers had reached an all-time high of 400,000 animals and the Red Deer Commission was merged with Scottish Natural Heritage (now NatureScot). The […]

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The Natural Environment Bill is an opportunity to protect Scotland’s nature

26 Feb 2025

The introduction of statutory targets to protect nature is a long-standing campaign demand of Scottish Environment LINK. We therefore welcome the publication of the Natural Environment Bill, introduced to the Scottish Parliament last week, which represents a vital opportunity to halt biodiversity decline and drive forward nature’s recovery.  Scotland’s Biodiversity Framework  The Scottish Government’s commitment […]

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