September 11th, 2025 by Miriam Ross
The Scottish government announced new fisheries management measures for offshore marine protected areas (MPAs) on 1 September, marking an important step in fulfilling its obligations to protect marine wildlife across a large area of Scotland’s seas.
Scotland’s offshore MPAs – those beyond 12 nautical miles from the shore – were designated more than 10 years ago to conserve and recover the most vulnerable marine habitats and species in our deep and continental shelf seas. The Scottish government is required by law to secure the long-term integrity of these areas by putting in place fisheries management measures that prevent damaging activities, such as bottom-towed fishing, from undermining conservation objectives.
Scottish Environment LINK welcomes the Scottish government’s progress in strengthening fisheries management measures across offshore MPAs. We are encouraged by the thorough approach taken, particularly in cases such as the Central Fladen MPA where burrowed mud habitats have received strengthened protection. Since burrowed mud and other seabed habitats are important blue carbon stores, it is also encouraging to see some areas of the seabed closed to bottom towed gear. We also welcome the inclusion of restrictions on floating longlines and bottom set gillnets in part of the network, given their high risk of bycatch for species like seabirds.
However, given the scale of biodiversity decline, both globally and Scotland-wide, we believe a more consistently precautionary approach is needed. While it is encouraging to see some closures that support species and habitats, full-site prohibitions on bottom-towed fishing should have been applied more widely to safeguard ecosystem integrity and support recovery of more blue carbon habitats. While zonal restrictions are preferable to inaction, they risk leaving important habitats exposed and compromise the wider resilience of marine ecosystems.
We are nonetheless disappointed that only select offshore MPAs received a full-site ban on bottom-towed fishing. As noted in our October 2024 consultation response, while the zonal approach is preferable to inaction, it often fails to deliver ecosystem-wide protection or meet site integrity objectives, especially for fragile seabed habitats and deep-sea features. To deliver meaningful ecosystem recovery, we need holistic, whole-site management underpinned by Remote Electronic Monitoring (REM) to ensure compliance and build confidence in the protection of vulnerable habitats.
The condition of Scotland’s seabed remains a matter of concern, as documented by the government’s own assessments. Without a more consistently precautionary approach, we are not confident these measures will be sufficient to meet Scotland’s legal obligations to achieve Good Environmental Status. The government’s current proposals fall short of the holistic management that these critical habitats and species require. Where measures are partial, they risk leaving vulnerable features and blue carbon stores exposed to damage. While we welcome progress in a few instances, Scottish Environment LINK continues to advocate for wider and more precautionary whole-site protection.
Evidence shows that holistic, whole-site protection delivers long-term socio-economic benefits, including improved fisheries yields, greater ecosystem resilience, and enhanced blue carbon storage. Stronger measures would therefore not only protect biodiversity but also secure benefits for coastal communities and the wider Scottish economy.
We also note the strength of public feeling on this issue, with nearly 4,000 responses to the consultation. Scottish Environment LINK’s e-action alone on the consultation received responses from over 1,700 people, reflecting widespread support for more ambitious protection of Scotland’s seas.
We are pleased to see progress and look forward to the forthcoming consultation on inshore MPA measures as an opportunity to embed stronger, whole-site protection more widely across Scotland’s seas.
August 7th, 2025 by morag
In July 2025, Scottish Environment LINK reached an amazing milestone! Our membership reached 50 member organisations. Deborah Long, LINK’s current CEO, has been talking to early supporters, early drivers of change and some of LINK’s newer members about this milestone…
LINK has come a long way since its start in 1987, with 14 member organisations signing up as what was Scottish Wildlife and Countryside Link (SWCL) at its inaugural meeting on 3 February.
Reaching this milestone is happening at a time when action for nature and the environment needs to be stronger and faster than ever. LINK’s growing network helps us all build momentum and be a stronger voice for Scotland’s environment, together. We’re so grateful to our members for all they contribute towards our network. Between them, they are supported by an estimated 0.5 million supporters: this gives weight to LINK as the coordinated voice for Scotland’s environment: politicians and Government should listen to the people of Scotland, represented through LINK, because environment obviously matters to them.
LINK’s first twenty years is the subject of A strong, coherent voice, written by Honorary Fellow Michael Scott, Chair of LINK between 1995 – 1999. LINK then marked thirty years with a short film, Scottish Environment LINK at 30. The film heard from those actively engaged in LINK in 2017 and about how it helps coordinate a strong voice for the environment and the importance of a support network for those working in the sector, giving often difficult messages, watching what is happening in the natural world and looking forward. It’s not an easy or comfortable place to be. Plans are afoot for marking 40 years in a couple of years’ time.
Drennan Watson, one of LINK’s earliest Chairs, was an early driving force at LINK and was vital in revolutionising ideas about what was possible for the environment voluntary sector. He recalled LINK’s early days:
“Early days of what was then SWCL, and then LINK, saw discussions among us on things like ‘how can we penetrate this apparently impregnable institution called the Scottish Office and influence policy’. We certainly managed to get meetings with Scottish Ministers of the Environment but these were not particularly useful. I recall one meeting with Lord James Douglas Hamilton when, looking around me at the delegation we had got together at expense of their time, I got so annoyed that I sort of fell out onto their civil service adviser after Lord James had left the meeting, who was also upset. “What’s the matter?” I asked. His face rather crumpled and he said, “Drennan, If we advised him to jump out the 8th floor window of the Scottish Office and the leader of the opposition would catch him – He’d do it!”. Lord James was succeeded by Lord Sanderson, who was the ultimate in right wing hunting and shooting chap. He sat in front of us, thumped his fists on the table, and said, “The sporting estate is the backbone of the Highland economy!” The tourist industry had apparently escaped his attention.
“But devolution had come and oversight on protected areas like SSSIs was passing to a devolved government along with broader oversight over land use. But of course the whole structure of protected areas was based on a UK assessment – not just Scotland. We could foresee problems and asked for a meeting with Malcolm Rifkind, then Secretary of State for Scotland and therefore chief Scottish minister. He replied, saying – you had best see my minister of environment about this. However, we were not wasting our time on another cheerfully useless meeting so I sent another letter saying this was more widely significant and we needed a meeting with him, as chief minister for Scotland – code for ‘We deal with organ grinders, not monkeys!’ We immediately got a meeting! We found out later from his advisers that we were pushing at an open door. Rifkind took one look at the breadth and size of the diverse NGOs behind the request and thought he had to meet with us. A very significant moment for LINK!
“The meeting was very different from those before with Lord James and others. I did a brief explanation of the issue. He then looked thoughtful for a moment and said, “I need to know more about this!” Michael Scott (Plantlife) led off with a clear explanation of the issue followed on by Lloyd (RSPB) clarifying it further. Rifkind listened attentively. Then came the follow up: I still have a copy of a lengthy letter from him asking our opinion on which of diverse arrangements would work – like setting up an overseeing committee. WE HAD ARRIVED!”
Michael Scott says:
“For as long as I can remember, Scottish Environment LINK has been very considerably more than the sum of its parts. But when the sum of the parts reaches 50, then LINK really does become a significant force of nature.”
Alice Walsh was LINK’s long standing Development Officer, from 1991 until 2021 and said:
“It is immensely encouraging to see the numbers of member bodies grow, each of them contributes time, expertise and, not least, a sizeable membership subscription. This helps ensure LINK’s independent voice, speaking loud and clear for the essential public good of having a thriving natural environment as the basis for humans to flourish.”
Jen Anderson was LINK’s first member of staff and its Chief Officer until 2019. She too is pleased to see LINK’s membership still growing, from its base of 14 founding organisations in 1987; and still a strong partnership of small and large, national and local, all bringing something different to the collective knowledge and experience.
One of LINK’s current members, Archaeology Scotland, was represented at LINK meetings by Jonathan Wordsworth, who was their Rural Land Use Adviser:
“As a member of a small organisation (Archaeology Scotland) interested in protecting and enhancing Scotland’s past, I have always been impressed at how inclusive Scottish Environment LINK has been, caring for both Scotland’s cultural as well as natural heritage, for its valued landscapes as well as protecting its biodiversity.”
Today, LINK is chaired by Professor James Curran. He notes the power of LINK as the collaboration between, now, 50 environmental charities with, between them, around half a million, subscription-paying and dedicated individual members. For comparison, ALL the political parties in Scotland, combined, probably have around 150,000 paying members. He thinks it is certainly beyond time that mainstream politics took serious note of the environmental concerns of the people of Scotland:
“It’s never too late, as they say. But, genuinely, it nearly is …”
Even from outside the sector, the power and impact of working together has been noted:
Richard Lochhead, MSP, former Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Climate Change and the Environment (2007-2016) noted that LINK as a collective voice for the environment shaped public debate and worked with politicians to make sure Scotland addressed some of the urgent pressures and issues facing the environment. Even though he was seriously challenged, he found the voice and the input very valuable (Scottish Environment LINK at 30). Bill Wilson, MSP (2007 – 2011) commented on the value of one of LINK’s early campaigns, Don’t Take the P:
“LINK ensured that there was a coordinated effort rather than a piecemeal approach to the campaign. If an MSP had a question it was possible to approach a single body to obtain an overview…., making it easier for them to manage their time and avoid contradictory messages.”
(SCVO: Charities, Scotland and Holyrood: twenty years delivering change. 2019.)
Roger Crofts, former CEO of Scottish Natural Heritage and now a LINK Honorary Fellow says:
“This is brilliant news. It demonstrates the strength of Scottish Environment LINK as an environmental advocacy body which others wish to join to strengthen our collective voice.”
Two of our most recent members are happy to be part of the network: a small new charity, Bright Green nature, based in the Scottish Borders is one of them. Their CEO Karen Blackport says:
“As a grassroots organisation working on community-led nature restoration in the Scottish Borders, we joined LINK to connect with like-minded groups, share learning, and strengthen our voice within national policy and advocacy conversations. We’re particularly interested in contributing to discussions on biodiversity, land use, and youth engagement, and in learning from others doing impactful work across Scotland.”
The second very recent member is Association of Environmental Clerks of Works. Their Chair, Rebecca Passmore says:
“AEnvCoW is excited to have become part of a network that has similar aims and objectives, which will enable us to augment our work and make it more impactful in protecting Scotland’s environment. We are looking forward to identifying like-minded champions and groups through LINK to achieve this, and in turn, supporting other organisations in doing so.”
Another recent member is the Atlantic Salmon Trust. Alison Baker, their Restoration Director says:
“The Atlantic Salmon Trust is a proud member of Scottish Environment LINK, ensuring that the endangered wild Atlantic salmon is represented at the highest levels. Wild salmon don’t swim alone. As a keystone and indicator species they support, and rely on, the wider biodiversity of our rivers, coasts and seas. By aligning efforts with partners working to conserve and restore other species, we are stronger together as we work towards a thriving, resilient future for Scotland’s nature.”
LINK’s strength is its members and the dedicated staff team who support them. The environment and the planet has never needed champions more, ready to voice the uncomfortable and point out the awkward while always looking into the long-term future.
At twenty years, Simon Pepper, a key driving force for LINK in its early years, said:
“It is time to encourage environmental bodies to think and act out of the box, be exciting, take risks, attract attention, challenge shibboleths, expose the bogged down for being bogged down, loosen up the white-knuckle grip on precious old issues, and think of ways of generating new alliances for fresh, new, creative approaches.” (A strong, coherent voice 2007).
I hope we’ve managed to do that and will continue to do that as we all look forward to a very different world in 2050.
July 16th, 2025 by morag
By Dr Deborah Long, Chief Executive at Scottish Environment LINK
We live on a small island on the edge of the Atlantic ocean. Our landscape is highly diverse. There are very few other places in the world where you can physically walk from rainforest to alpine meadows in one day. But in Scotland you can.
But we live in times of change: climate change is bringing much more unpredictable weather, increased storminess and greater fluctuations in temperatures and precipitation. One in nine of Scotland’s species are at risk of extinction – driven by habitat fragmentation, climate change, the impact of non-native invasive species and pollution. As a result, we live in one of the most nature depleted countries in the world, despite our reputation for wildlife and landscapes. We will all have noticed the loss of biodiversity within our own lifetimes.
However, the clue to our future is in this diversity of landscape, topography and geology. Diversity makes us stronger, and a key part of our future depends on this diversity. But we need to defend that diversity. It’s time to change the trajectory of both climate change and biodiversity loss by acting together in solidarity, and acting now.
We can’t become net zero without nature. We know that acting to reconnect and restore our ecosystems is one of the most effective ways of addressing climate change, both in the carbon it stores and in the ways it helps us all adapt to an increasingly unpredictable climate. Tackling the nature crisis and working towards net zero in Scotland’s land use sector means better land use planning and food system change. Tackling both equals a resilient and more enjoyable future for all.
The thing is that achieving net zero is not just about emissions. We talk as if that is all it is. It’s only half of the issue and less than half of the response needed. We have developed a kind of tunnel vision, focussed on technological fixes. They are not enough and they won’t impact quickly enough either. If we take a systems approach – which is what farming is all about – moving to sustainable production in grass fed livestock for example and expanding nature rich habitats, including but not limited to woodlands and peatlands, these bring multiple benefits. It’s better for nature, it means better food and healthier animals and it brings a healthier, more resilient environment.
Talk about trade-offs is divisive and, I think, unproductive. It creates winners and losers and pits them against each other. Essentially, we are talking about trading the future’s environment to support our own unsustainable use of our environment today. The trade-off is ultimately that future generations are paying for our current choices. Instead, we should focus on what we all want – a healthy fully functioning environment able to support healthy individuals, businesses and communities into the future. Then we can talk about the opportunities and benefits we still have, with these conversations happening with space and time to plan changes and implement them effectively, fairly and to maximum effect. However, the longer we leave doing this the bigger the trade-offs, both in terms of how we use land now and what the future looks like for future generations.
So what are these opportunities and the trade-offs they bring or avoid?
The trade-off between meeting today’s needs without compromising the needs of future generations is a choice. The choice is: continue down the path we are on. We continue to tinker with a system that benefits very few in the short term, continues to contribute to climate change (when the land use sector is actually very well placed to mitigate and adapt to change) and that continues to contribute to nature loss and fragmentation.
This benefits no one in the long term: farmers and crofters are left unsupported to change, the climate becomes increasingly unpredictable, ecosystems teeter, and ecosystem services, like pollination and healthy soils disappear.
Or, we change: introduce well planned, well supported change, where farmers, crofters and land managers are supported for the services they produce – be that food, nature rich habitats, or rare orchids. Where the market pays a fair price for healthy food, where it pays dividends for nature friendly goods and where public funding is left to provide the support for those farmers able and best placed to deliver carbon storage and nature rich habitats.
Do we support a transition from where we are, with an unequal, unfair system that brings short term benefits to the few, does not do enough for nature or climate and is penalising future generations, to one that supports economically viable farms and crofts, farming for climate and nature and healthy food and leaving a legacy for the future? Or not?
We could do this: the Scottish Government already have their vision for sustainable and regenerative agriculture. If delivered, this takes us a long way to achieving net zero and improving biodiversity.
But there is a gap between the ambition and the action so far. The structures we currently use have so far failed and there is too little ambition to make the changes required. Trade-offs are holding us up. These are short term and preventing those in the best position to do more for nature and climate.
Instead, providing sufficient support for nature friendly farming, organic, extensive grazing and regenerative practices is much more likely to bring the changes we need. These deliver net zero gains through soil carbon sequestration, improving soil health, pollination and in turn restoring ecosystems,reconnecting nature and producing food.
Ecosystems are changing and becoming much less resilient. Acting now to address nature loss as well as climate change is less of a trade-off and more of a necessity, especially for future generations.
Image credit: Dan Paris
July 9th, 2025 by morag
By Rebecca Crawford, Marine Policy Officer at the Scottish Wildlife Trust
Introduction
As a maritime nation with over 900 islands and one of the longest coastlines in Europe, the marine cultural heritage of Scotland is deeply ingrained. However, there is a disconnect between people and the ocean, with many people now calling for a better understanding of their coastal areas.
This was one of the key findings of the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Oceans of Value workshops, which discussed barriers people experienced when trying to participate in marine decision-making conversations. Attendees to our workshops told us that “If people had access to the right information and were supported more in becoming more knowledgeable, they could feel more empowered to take part and have their say”.
They also highlighted the need for more awareness of how to be involved in decision making, “We do lots of practical stuff, but how do we influence? What are the processes?”
One way of mending this disconnect is through ocean literacy. This blog will look at what ocean literacy is, why it is important and what is happening both globally and here in Scotland.
What is ocean literacy?
The term “ocean literacy” was first coined in the USA in 2002 by a group of educators and has been defined by UNESCO as “the process of understanding the ocean’s influence on you and of your influence on the ocean”.
Let’s de-mystify (or de-haar if you will) the term further!
Despite how it might sound, ocean literacy isn’t about reading and writing about the ocean. It’s a process of thinking about and experiencing the coasts and seas in new or different ways, as well as deepening your connection to and knowledge of the marine environment.
Ocean literacy is centred around seven main principles:
- The earth has one large ocean
- The ocean and life within it shape Earth’s features
- The ocean greatly affects weather and climate
- The ocean makes earth suitable for life
- The ocean supports a wide variety of life and ecosystems
- The ocean and humans are deeply connected
- The ocean is largely unexplored
You can find out more about each of these by visiting UNESCO’s Ocean Literacy Portal.
Ocean literacy is essential to achieving the goal of a sustainable marine environment in the face of the twin nature and climate crises, as our seas underpin life on earth. It is also an important tool for building a future where people are deeply connected to their coasts and seas, and are confident and passionate about acting to protect them. To move towards sustainable marine management, ocean literacy approaches must be holistic, bringing together social and cultural themes as well as diverse perspectives.
Ocean literacy around the world
In 2018, Canada formed an Ocean Literacy Coalition with the aim of “empowering people in Canada to better understand, value, and care for the ocean”. Following this a strategy was published in 2021 entitled Land, Water, Ocean, Us: A Canadian Ocean Literacy Strategy.
Continuing to look internationally, the United Nations Ocean Decade launched in 2020 with ambitious aspirations for our seas, which included transforming the relationship between society and the ocean. Ocean literacy was seen as a key aspect to achieving this as a mechanism for change. As we are now over halfway to 2030, this is an excellent opportunity to look at our progress towards achieving the UN Ocean Decade goals, and what more needs to be done.
Ocean literacy in Wales
Wales is storming ahead of the rest of the UK on ocean literacy. In January this year, Wales published their Ocean Literacy Strategy, Y Môr a Ni (The Sea and Us). It includes six key action areas including access and experience; knowledge and skills; and communities and culture.
Key work towards implementing the actions in the strategy include undertaking reviews of the barriers to accessing the marine environment, developing resources aligned to the Curriculum for Wales and supporting meaningful local engagement in planning and decision-making.
In the north of Wales, the Hiraeth Yn Y Môr (HYYM) project ran from 2023-2025 and was a community-led project delivered by the Marine Conservation Society. It supported local coastal communities to connect with their coast and sea by promoting ocean literacy. It aimed to improve sustainable management of local marine heritage, as well as community health and wellbeing.
Scotland needs to catch up
While Scotland can often be said to be ahead of the curve, we are currently lagging behind on ocean literacy. It has been almost two years since the Ocean literacy survey was undertaken in Scotland. One of the key findings of the survey was that “enhancing Ocean Literacy across society will be crucial to achieving the behaviour change needed to address the challenges facing our coasts and seas and manage them sustainably”.
The survey also found that:
- Respondents appreciated the wellbeing effects of the sea with 83% reporting that visits to the marine environment are good for their mental health.
- The overriding emotional response to the marine environment was one of concern (51%) followed by awe/wonder (41%).
- Most respondents (85%) felt that it is important to protect the marine environment.
- On marine activism 35% of people said they had made lifestyle changes related to protecting the marine environment and 23% said they signed petitions. However, when it comes to direct action such as involvement in citizen science or contacting elected representatives this fell to 3% and 2% respectively. Furthermore 38% of respondents had undertaken none of the actions listed.
Given the findings of the survey and the government’s commitment to become an “ocean literate and aware nation”, we must do more to facilitate ocean literacy in Scotland and enhance people’s connection with the sea.
Sea the connection: an ocean literacy project for Scotland
The Scottish Wildlife Trust is excited to be delivering Sea the Connection, an innovative project that will benefit both coastal communities and the marine environment, by removing barriers to participation in marine policy conversations. We have several different streams of work, one of which is the establishment of a Scottish Ocean Literacy Coalition.
The outcomes of the coalition are open to discussion at the first meeting where we will run a scene setting exercise for what we can do to improve ocean literacy in Scotland. This will likely include creating a strategy similar to those in Canada and Wales. It may also look at embedding marine topics in the Curriculum for Excellence to improve ocean literacy at an early age. For example, Brazil recently became the first country to commit to integrating Ocean Literacy into its national curriculum, calling it the “Blue Curriculum”. This embodies the vision of the UN Ocean Decade which looks to achieve “The ocean we need for the future we want”, which clearly education is a huge part of the puzzle as well as involving young people. This objective is being led in Scotland by LINK members such as Young Sea Changers Scotland.
Find out more
To find out more about the work of the Sea the Connection project you can join the Living Seas newsletter by visiting our page.
July 1st, 2025 by morag
By Andy Marks, Parliamentary Officer
Group photo of MSP Nature Champions at the Celebrating Nature Champions Parliamentary Reception on 4th June 2025. Image: © Scottish Environment LINK
The success of Scottish Environment LINK’s award-winning Nature Champions initiative reflects the energy and commitment that MSPs have for ‘their’ Scottish species and habitats.
The current session has seen MSPs climb mountains in search of bees, wade across rivers for endangered mussels, attend night-time bat surveys and even abseil from trees in support of Scotland’s extraordinary species and habitats!
Of course, little of this would be possible without the Scottish Environment LINK members who host and support MSP Nature Champions to get to know more about Scotland’s natural environment.
However, being an MSP Nature Champion isn’t just about experiencing the treasures of our natural environment, it’s also about helping to raise awareness and promote action in Parliament. From debates to motions, Nature Champions have been helping to give nature a voice in this Parliament – a voice that is so greatly needed in the context of both the nature and climate emergencies.
On Wednesday 4th June, LINK took the opportunity to spotlight some of the achievements of MSP Nature Champions through a special ‘Celebrating Nature Champions’ reception at the Scottish Parliament.
This event was sponsored by Alexander Burnett MSP (Red Squirrel) and recognised the fantastic efforts of the 100+ MSPs who are currently signed up as Nature Champions and celebrate the different ways in which they have championed Scotland’s iconic and threatened species and habitats over the current Parliament. The event also offered attendees the opportunity to hear more from Scottish Environment LINK members about their work protecting and restoring Scotland’s natural environment.
As part of this event, Scottish Environment LINK presented four awards to celebrate MSP Nature Champions who have gone the extra mile in their roles over this Parliamentary session. You can discover the winners from the evening as well as the very worthy short-listed nominees below.
We want to share our thanks to all MSPs who have become Nature Champions over the course of this Parliament.
Turning Tide Award
Turning Tide Award winners Willie Rennie MSP and Christine Grahame MSP, pictured with LINKK Chief Officer, Dr Deborah Long. Image: © Scottish Environment LINK
The first of the evening’s awards – the Turning Tide Award – was jointly presented to Christine Grahame MSP and Willie Rennie MSP. This award acknowledged an MSP ‘who has championed a species or habitat that has seen a significant positive change in circumstances over the last Parliament’ – where an MSP’s support in Parliament has bolstered a positive trend in the fortunes of a Scottish species or habitat. These two MSPs have championed their species brilliantly, and we felt that they both deserved the accolade:
Christine Grahame MSP is the Nature Champion for the Golden Eagle, a species that has seen a significant boost in the South of Scotland over this Parliament. Christine has vocally supported the South of Scotland Golden Eagle project’s reintroduction efforts in Parliament and has pushed for tougher legislation to tackle raptor persecution.
Willie Rennie MSP, meanwhile, has been a staunch advocate for Sandeels – a vital prey food for marine species and seabirds like puffins. Within this Parliament, industrial sandeel fishing was closed in Scottish waters, and this marks a significant moment in marine ecosystem recovery efforts.
Nominees: Finlay Carson MSP (Native Oyster Beds), Rhoda Grant MSP (Scottish Wildcat)
Muddy Boots Award
Graham Simpson MSP, pictured on Ben Lawers with his species, the Bilberry Bumblebee. Image: © Bumblebee Conservation Trust
Our next award was the Muddy Boots Award – recognising an MSP who has been especially enthusiastic to get out in the field and engage with their species or habitat’s needs first-hand. These are the MSPs who don’t shy away from a surgery with their wilder constituents!
This event was won by Graham Simpson MSP, for climbing not one but two Munros on a visit to see the Bilberry Bumblebee, as well as travelling to Scotland’s rainforest to both see, and hug, his other species, the Ash Tree.
Nominees: Meghan Gallacher MSP (Red Kite), Mark Ruskell MSP (Moss Carder Bee and White-tailed Eagle), Audrey Nicoll MSP (Freshwater Pearl Mussel)
Natterjack Award
Ariane Burgess MSP, Nature Champion for the Eurasian Beaver and Aspen, pictured at a beaver dam. Image: © Scottish Wildlife Trust
The Natterjack Award was designed to celebrate our most vocal Nature Champions – those MSPs who are not afraid of making some noise in support of Scotland’s natural environment. (For those who aren’t familiar, Natterjack toads are among our noisiest and rarest amphibians and their calls can in fact be heard several kilometres away!)
This award recognised an MSP who has been especially active in raising awareness of their species or habitat among the public and in the Scottish Parliament: Ariane Burgess MSP.
Ariane has steadfastly supported the protection of Scotland’s Eurasian Beaver populations and Aspen woodlands, through a significant number of motions and parliamentary questions, as well as championing their interests through local news and social media.
Nominees: Colin Smyth MSP (Badger), Fiona Hyslop MSP (Blanket Bogs), Jackie Dunbar MSP (Sea Trout)
Beastie’s Bestie Award
Monica Lennon MSP, Nature Champion for the Oak, pictured inspecting lichens in Scotland’s Rainforest in 2023. Image: © Scottish Environment LINK
Last but not least, our final award – the Beastie’s Bestie Award – celebrates an MSP who has developed a personal connection with a species or habitat through their Nature Champions role. This may not be known among their colleagues or indeed the public, but they’ve done something a bit unusual and creative in the way that they’ve approached being a champion.
The winner of this award was Monica Lennon MSP, Nature Champion for the Oak, whose consistent championing of native woodland planting targets and ancient woodlands, including the 800-year old Cadzow Oak in her constituency, has expanded into personal tree-planting efforts and efforts to encourage local schools and communities to participate in native tree planting initiatives.
Nominees: Beatrice Wishart MSP (Orca), Jenni Minto MSP (Scotland’s Rainforest), Alexander Burnett MSP (Red Squirrel)
June 26th, 2025 by morag
By Elizabeth Mills, Young Sea Changers Scotland
“50% of young people do not understand how the ocean impacts them or in turn how they impact the ocean.”
In February 2025, Back to Blue released their findings from a global ocean literacy survey of over 3,500 responses aged 18-24 and highlighted what they referred to as the ‘great disconnect’ between young people and our seas. Ocean literacy is defined as the understanding of the ocean’s influence on us and our influence on the ocean.
All young people deserve to be able to connect, learn and be heard in spaces where decisions are made around our seas. This blog reflects on what environmental organisations can learn from this study to help address this gap for the young people of Scotland.
It’s so important to ensure we have high levels of ocean literacy among young people as they will inherit our seas. Only with an ocean literate society can we truly understand how important healthy and resilient seas are for our society and how we can restore and protect them for future generations.
One of our Young Sea Changers Scotland members, Cat Ferguson, reflects on one barrier to this:
“It isn’t mandatory in school to understand how interconnected our health is with the planet’s. The reliance of fish stocks, clean water and a regulated climate on the continued stability of our ocean system risks never being discussed in some circles or being lost in the mass of information bombarding young minds.”
For those working in the environmental sector, it is sometimes easy to take for granted how much access to knowledge surrounding our oceans we have, how easily we are often invited into spaces to learn more, input on decisions and are supported to do so by our organisations. But with this access to knowledge, we must also ensure that others, particularly those who are often underrepresented in those areas, including young people, are given opportunities and space to engage with science and nature.
The Back to Blue survey found that around half of young people rely on print media, social media and film for ocean information, while only around one in three turn to educational courses. But these statistics also highlight a great opportunity for environmental organisations to help address the ocean knowledge gap through sharing ocean-related content on their social media platforms. Well-curated and engaging educational content can spark young people’s curiosity into what is going on beneath the waves and motivate them to take action. As Cat concludes, “with the increase in social media use and trends, there are opportunities to take ocean and planet health to the forefront of young people’s minds.”
But knowledge does not automatically lead to behaviour change. Access to – and connection with – our oceans is just as crucial.
“As a young person, your mind is pulled in a hundred different directions when navigating the transition from teenage years to adulthood. Finding time and opportunities to visit or cultivate appreciation and understanding for the ocean is difficult when you’re only just managing in so many other areas” Cat highlights. The Back to Blue survey found that 38% of people cited lack of time, 35% lack of transportation and 25% lack of opportunity barriers to connect with the ocean.
This has implications then for support for ocean action. As the old saying goes, “you can’t protect what you don’t love.” That’s why at YSCS we have launched the Youth Ocean Action Fund to support activities that foster connection, community, and creativity, as well as opportunities to become upskilled in marine advocacy.
As Cat powerfully shared: “I sometimes consider it to be quite difficult for me to engage with the ocean in a way that isn’t dread. So many conversations surrounding the ocean and climate focus on everything that is wrong, but the majority of my love for the deep blue has been cultivated quietly and with the privilege of spending lots of time there as a child. Even in Glasgow, not far from the sea, many children and young people hardly see it, let alone have time to worry about the problems facing it. With no time to create a bond with our seas, and the narratives being predominantly negative, why would young people spend hard-earned money and time on it?”
This reflection gets to the heart of the issue: if young people aren’t given the time, tools, and space to build a meaningful relationship with the ocean, how can we expect them to care for it?
I encourage everyone to read the rest of Black to Blue report, which offers a powerful breakdown of the gaps between young people and ocean literacy. We have a collective responsibility to bridge this gap by removing the barriers and pressures that have led to the ‘great disconnect’. Every organisation in this space has the chance to lead the way in making ocean engagement more accessible and empowering.
And personally, when I too feel discouraged about the future of our oceans, I only have to look at my experience engaging with young people through my work at YSCS. I have seen first hand how powerful it can be to support and uplift young people. It is much easier to see hope for our oceans knowing the next generation is stepping up with the skills and support to make change.
June 2nd, 2025 by morag
This is the final blog in a series looking at the four sections of the Natural Environment Bill. You can look back at Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3.
One of the standout artworks at the National Galleries of Scotland is the immediately recognisable Monarch of the Glen, a 19th century painting of a stag in a Highland landscape. It is an image which has been widely reproduced, used in advertising and to promote tourism. The painting was bought for the nation at a cost of millions. Yet it is described by the National Galleries website as “loved and loathed” and “sometimes hard to stomach” due to the association of stag hunting with the Highland clearances.
The painting, and the public’s mixed views towards it, illustrates the complicated relationship Scotland has with deer. Deer are some of Scotland’s most charismatic and beloved wildlife. But, at the current population numbers, they are also an enormous environmental problem.
The recent article by Duncan Orr-Ewing, Convener of LINK’s Deer Group, summarises the environmental challenges posed by unsustainable deer numbers and the background to the current proposals in the Natural Environment Bill. In short, there are far too many deer, their numbers have a significant impact on vital woodland and peatland habitats, and attempts to control their numbers to date have failed.
The Scottish Government estimate that there are around one million deer and “aim to reduce this to a level which habitats and ecosystems can recover and regenerate and deer densities are maintained at sustainable levels by about half by 2030.”
Powers of public intervention
Deer management is regulated by the Deer (Scotland) Act 1996. The Natural Environment Bill makes multiple changes to the Deer Act, with the intention of enabling more effective deer management and ultimately reducing deer densities to support ecological recovery.
Central to this is improved powers of intervention. The Bill’s policy memorandum states that the policy intention is to “remove unnecessary barriers to effective control and put in place measures to ensure that public interests are protected” and that a “more efficient use of intervention powers in the public interest is critical.”
The Bill approaches this by:
- Adding a new requirement for NatureScot to safeguard the public interest in relation to deer
- Adding a new ground for intervention for the purpose of nature restoration
NatureScot currently have grounds to intervene in deer management to prevent damage. These powers involve entering into a voluntary agreement with a landowner (Section 7) or making deer management measures compulsory (Section 8). However, these powers have been underutilised – the power to introduce a control scheme was used for the first time this April.
The new ground for intervention will allow NatureScot to pursue deer management to support the preservation, protection, restoration or enhancement of the natural environment, or in support of any relevant target, strategy or plan relating to the environment, climate change or biodiversity. This will allow for the use of Section 7 and Section 8 powers to support the objectives of the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy and the achievement of nature restoration and climate targets. In practice, this could be a significant step forward for efforts to support the natural regeneration and colonisation of our woodlands and the protection of our peatlands.
Other changes in the Bill
The Bill makes a number of changes building on the recommendations of the Deer Working Group. These are listed in full on p.52-56 of the policy memorandum. Changes in the Bill include improvements to NatureScot’s investigatory powers and allowing NatureScot to permit deer killing during the close season and at night.
Top image: Calum McLennan
May 27th, 2025 by Miriam Ross
This article was first published in the Scotland on Sunday on 25 May 2025.
The day before David Attenborough’s film Ocean was released in cinemas worldwide, an extraordinary exchange took place in the Scottish parliament. MSPs Fergus Ewing and Jackson Carlaw agreed that the Scottish fishing fleet had been severely depleted by ‘over-regulation’. Ewing also cited ‘the influence of NGOs’ (non-governmental organisations).
In reality, the long decline of Scotland’s traditional coastal fishing fleet stems not from environmental regulation, but from a lack of fish. It can be traced back to policy decisions that have favoured industrial fishing methods over traditional, low-impact practices, allowing bottom trawlers and scallop dredgers to operate close to shore, leading to the degradation of vital spawning and nursery habitats. This shift resulted in the collapse of local fish stocks and the marginalisation of small-scale fishers.
Neither Fergus Ewing nor Jackson Carlaw is currently a government minister. But the narrative that pits environmental protection against the economic survival of fishing communities could be behind the total absence of marine nature protection from John Swinney’s programme for government.
Scotland has, on paper, a network of marine protected areas designated since 2014. The Scottish government is required by law to design and implement protections for each area, which in many cases will mean restricting bottom trawling and dredging while allowing small-scale, lower impact fishing to continue. Yet these measures have been delayed again and again, leaving our marine ‘protected’ areas largely unprotected.
Since winning the last Holyrood election in 2021, the current Scottish government has repeatedly promised to get these crucial protections in place. Its first programme for government, in September that year, committed to getting the job done by March 2024 at the latest. Marine protected areas also featured in 2023 and 2024.
Then in 2025 – nothing. The sea doesn’t even get a mention in the environment section of this year’s flagship policy announcement.
To be fair to the government, it has completed the statutory public consultation on protections for offshore marine protected areas – those between 12 and 200 nautical miles from the shore.
But it hasn’t even consulted yet on measures for inshore areas – those up to 12 nautical miles from the shore. These coastal waters are where most of Scotland’s fishing fleet operates. They are incredibly rich in marine life, and they include the spawning and nursery habitats that are vital for fish stocks – and for fishing.
Both sets of marine protected areas desperately need protection. To this day, due to the absence of protection measures, destructive bottom-towed fishing methods including trawling are permitted in most of them, devastating fragile habitats like maerl beds and flame shell reefs where many fish breed and grow to maturity. There is also evidence that disturbing the seabed releases stored carbon, exacerbating climate change.
Attenborough’s film makes it clear that saving the sea is vital to saving the planet.
But getting the long-delayed fisheries management measures in place in our marine protected areas is not only a crucial step towards restoring our seas to health. It’s essential for the future of Scotland’s small-scale inshore fishing industry. More protection means more fish, means more local, sustainable jobs.
The idea that protecting and restoring our seas and supporting the future of fishing are opposing interests holds no water. Instead of delays and silence from the Scottish government, we need accountability and action.
Esther Brooker, marine policy and engagement officer, Scottish Environment LINK
May 20th, 2025 by morag
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 different flowers for food, and some bees live in colonies whereas many more are solitary.
The 20th May marks UN World Bee Day – a day to recognise the essential roles that bees and other pollinators play in our natural environment and in our day-to-day lives. And, with 115 different species of bee recorded in Scotland, there’s a lot to celebrate!
The theme of this year’s UN World Bee Day, as the title of this blog suggests, acknowledges the critical importance of bees and other pollinators in food production. Indeed, bees are one of the most significant groups of pollinating insects – all of which we depend upon for pollinating 80% of our wild and cultivated plants[i]. In financial terms, pollination by bees and other insects is estimated to add over £600 million per year to the UK economy, with an estimated replacement cost of a staggering £1.8 billion[ii] if we were to try to pay people to hand-pollinate crops without bees.
Despite their critical importance, these remarkable insects are under threat. In 2024, UK bumblebee numbers declined by almost a quarter (22.5%) compared to the 2010-2023 average[iii]. More broadly, pollinator numbers in the UK have declined by 24% since 1980[iv] and the number of flying insects sampled on vehicle number plates across Scotland has fallen by a shocking 65% since 2021[v].
With threats including habitat loss and fragmentation, the widespread use of pesticides and climate change and extreme weather, it’s clear that our wild bees and other pollinators need support. These declines also have far-reaching implications for our countryside and our ability to produce healthy, affordable food.
To mark UN World Bee Day and to raise awareness of the plight of our wild bees and pollinators, Scottish Environment LINK were joined by five MSP Nature Champions (Patrick Harvie MSP, Roz McCall MSP, Mark Ruskell MSP, Graham Simpson MSP and Evelyn Tweed MSP) for a special bee visit, hosted by the University of Stirling.
As part of this visit, MSPs heard from Senior Lecturer, Dr Gema Martin-Ordas, who is leading on some fascinating research at the University of Stirling into bee cognition. Dr Martin-Ordas took us on a tour of her lab and described how her recent research has shown that bees are capable of logical reasoning – a skill that was once thought to be unique to humans – showing just how much there is still to learn about these extraordinary insects.
MSPs were then led on a ‘Wild Bee Safari’ around the campus by LINK colleagues from Bumblebee Conservation Trust and Buglife Scotland. On the safari, MSPs were able to get up close with different wild bee species to learn about their unique characteristics, before engaging in a competitive cross-party game of ‘Wild Bee Bingo’. These organisations also provided presentations on how they’re helping to recover bee and pollinator populations through projects such as B-lines and Skills for Bees, as well as highlighting the key actions that policymakers need to take to protect and restore Scotland’s pollinators.
With much to learn and admire about these ever-busy creatures, we hope that these MSP Nature Champions were able to ‘bee inspired’ to take their learning back into the Scottish Parliament and to be a voice for some of Scotland’s smallest inhabitants. After all, we simply cannot afford to lose them.
By Andrew Marks, Parliamentary Officer
[i] IPBES (2016). The assessment report of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services on pollinators, pollination and food production. S.G. Potts, V. L. Imperatriz-Fonseca, and H. T. Ngo (eds). Secretariat of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, Bonn, Germany.
[ii] Potts S.G., Breeze T.D., Garratt M.P. & Senapathi G.D. (2023). The Role of Bees and Other Pollinators in the UK Food System – An Evidence Update. Written evidence submitted by University of Reading, School of Agriculture, policy and Development (INS0032), University of Reading, Berkshire, UK.
[iii] Comont, R. F., & Dickinson, H. (2025). BeeWalk Annual Report 2025. Bumblebee Conservation Trust, Stirling, UK. Available at: https://www.bumblebeeconservation.org/publications/beewalk-annual-report-2025/
[iv] JNCC (2022). UK Biodiversity Indicators: Status of Pollinating Insects. Available at: https://jncc.gov.uk/our-work/ukbi-pollinating-insects/
[v] Ball, L., Whitehouse, A., Bowen-Jones, E., Amor, M., Banfield, N., Hadaway, P. & Hetherington, P. (2024). The Bugs Matter Citizen Science Survey of Insect Abundance. Buglife, Peterborough. UK. Available at: www.buglife.org.uk/news/bugs-matter-survey-shows-ongoing-decline-in-uk-flying-insects
May 14th, 2025 by morag
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 opportunity mapping will result in a more resilient landscape, rich in wild plants and fungi and the multitudes of species that they support.
What are Nature Networks?
Nature Networks are a new mechanism to map ecological corridors between existing wildlife-rich areas in Scotland. Creating Nature Networks offers a route to connect our most important sites for nature (the protected site network) with the wider landscape, allowing our species to move, adapt and thrive.
Nature Networks are being planned from the bottom-up, led by Local Authorities, and the priorities they identify will help target public and private finance, and attract interest for future nature recovery projects.
For more information on the Nature Networks concept and its application see Nature Networks Toolbox | NatureScot.
Why is this guidance important?
Creating Nature Networks can unlock action towards Scotland’s national and international targets to protect and restore nature. The Scottish Biodiversity Strategy identifies Nature Networks as a key process for targeting action for nature recovery to 2030 and beyond.
Local authorities, landowners and communities are being directly involved in Nature Network planning, mainstreaming nature recovery and empowering more people to shape a better future for nature and people.
What are the key recommendations?
Plantlife Scotland’s guidance signposts users to the best available data for mapping nature recovery opportunities, provides recommendations for spatial prioritisation, and outlines how other land use types can be improved for biodiversity. A closer look:
Grasslands
Species-rich grasslands are unsung heroes. They sustain a huge diversity of species, contribute significantly to carbon storage, and improve our food security and wellbeing. However, most species-rich grasslands have been lost over the last century.
Rainforest
Scotland’s temperate rainforests are a globally significant habitat, which we have an international responsibility to protect. Despite being an irreplaceable part of Scotland’s natural heritage only c.30,000 fragmented hectares remain. Their survival is threatened by habitat degradation and invasive species.
…Supporting these superhero habitats by identifying them as high-priority core areas, and targeting degraded sites as priorities for restoration, will bring resilience and diversity to Nature Networks.
Species Recovery
Species are the building blocks of biodiversity, and preventing species loss is essential to protecting resilience. Establishing local species priorities and designing Nature Networks that support them is needed to ensure the recovery of species that are closest to extinction.
The document also promotes nature-positive land management practices such as wildlife-friendly Road Verge and Green Space management, ‘Right Tree, Right Place’ principles, low-input farming and non-destructive forestry techniques.
Final thoughts
Mainstreaming nature recovery will be essential to upscaling delivery, and this document aims to mainstream the restoration of wild plant and fungi across Scotland, to the benefit of all.
Read Plantlife’s new guidance
Top image: Calum McLennan
