What is the Nature Champions initiative?
Photos: Scottish Environment LINK / Jamie McDermaid
Nature Champions is an award-winning initiative developed by Scottish Environment LINK.
Nature Champions encourages Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) to champion Scotland’s species and habitats – from the smallest twinflower to the mighty humpback whale.
MSPs are partnered with leading conservation organisations to get to know their species and habitats, along with the key issues affecting them. By becoming Nature Champions, MSPs can help to raise awareness and promote action to restore Scotland’s natural environment.
First launched in 2013 as ‘Species Champions’, the Nature Champions initiative has gone from strength to strength since its inception. More than eighty percent of MSPs have become Nature Champions over the past two Parliaments, representing hundreds of Scottish species and habitats.
The initiative has inspired similar programmes in the Welsh Senedd, the UK Parliament, local authorities and within communities across Scotland.
[L]ike many colleagues, I am in my peaceful space in the outdoors… but truth be told, my love and respect of nature has probably been a little bit one way and more about what I was getting out of nature rather than the other way round. That was until I became Nature Champion for the Freshwater Pearl Mussel, and it is through this role that I now better appreciate the importance of projects such as those referred to in the motion.
Audrey Nicoll MSP, Scottish National Party, Nature Champion for the Freshwater Pearl Mussel (2021-26), speaking as part of the World Rivers Day Debate on Thursday 27th September 2023.
How does it work?
Nature Champions is based on a simple idea: each Member of the Scottish Parliament champions a threatened or iconic species or habitat for the duration of the Parliament.
As the Nature Champion for a threatened or iconic species or habitat, MSPs are partnered with the Scottish Environment LINK member organisations that are leading on the protection and recovery of that species or habitat within Scotland.
These host organisations provide Nature Champions with more information about their species or habitats, along with the threats and actions needed to protect them. These organisations also offer site visits for MSPs to learn more about their species or habitat in its natural environment.
Nature Champions become a voice for that species or habitat within the Scottish Parliament. As such, many MSPs raise awareness of their species or habitat in Parliament through debates, motions and questions.
At the end of the Parliamentary session, Nature Champions are encouraged to champion a new species or habitat so that they can learn more about a different part of Scotland’s extraordinary natural environment.
What opportunities does the Nature Champions initiative offer for MSPs?
The Nature Champions initiative gives MSPs the chance to get out of the office and to deepen their knowledge of Scotland’s natural environment.
Nature Champions can meet the species or habitats they represent, take part in conservation activities on the ground (and sometimes underwater!), develop in-depth knowledge of their species or habitat, as well as gaining an awareness of the social, ecological and economic value of their species and habitats for Scotland.
By engaging directly with conservation work, MSPs also build relationships with the individuals, organisations and communities who are dedicated to protecting and restoring Scotland’s natural environment. As a result, many MSPs choose to champion species or habitats found within their own constituencies or regions.
The insight gained through the Nature Champions initiative enables MSPs to advocate more effectively for their chosen species or habitats in Parliament. Nature Champions frequently submit Parliamentary Questions, lodge Motions and participate in Debates to encourage action and promote positive environmental change.
I have been proud to be the Nature Champion for red squirrels since 2021. For years I have helped to campaign to protect this beautiful endangered species, and have been actively involved in grey squirrel control and highlighting the threat that this invasive species pose to red squirrels. I have also submitted parliamentary questions and motions to ensure that we continue red squirrel conservation and do all we can to preserve their habitat. I encourage people to report sightings of both red and grey squirrels, which is vital to monitor the current squirrel population and grey squirrel migration.
Alexander Burnett MSP, Scottish Conservatives, Nature Champion for the Red Squirrel, May 2023
What is expected from MSPs and LINK host members?
The Nature Champions initiative has been designed to fit around the commitments and capacities of all MSPs.
At its core, the initiative is a fun and light-hearted means for MSPs to learn more about Scotland’s rich natural heritage. However, we nevertheless hope that Nature Champions act as sincere ambassadors for their species or habitats in Parliament, and that they are appropriately engaged with their supporting host organisations.
If they wish to do so, Nature Champions can expect to participate on at least one site visit each year with their host organisation(s). These organisations will also be available to MSPs for advice and support on Parliamentary matters relating to their species and/or habitats.
You can view all of the current Nature Champions of this Parliamentary session here.
For all Nature Champions enquiries, please contact Andrew Marks at andrew@scotlink.org