Scottish Environment LINK’s annual festive reception for members and partners – join us for a mince pie and a drink!
Wednesday 18 December 2024 17:00 – 20:30
Augustine United Church
41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh, EH1 1EL
For the Strategic Planning meeting and AGM, please let us know you are coming and your catering needs via eventbrite
The Strategic Planning meeting is for Members, Trustees, work area leads and Fellows.
It will be followed by a short AGM.
We will then move on to the nearby Augustine Church for the Festive Reception. Please remember to tell Lisa you are coming.
Beyond 2020: what can we do to build a resilient Scotland – able to tackle the twin challenges of climate change and nature loss and build a sustainable society?
Join us for a breakfast launch of LINK’s new strategy on Friday 6 March 0900 – 1100, at Augustine United Church, George IV Bridge, Edinburgh.
Three of LINK’s Honorary Fellows will be kicking off a panel discussion with their perspectives on where Scotland’s society, legal, political sectors and the research needs are for us to be able to build and maintain a truly sustainable society in a healthy environment. Join us and our partners, both current and future, to explore how we can all work together to deliver this vision for Scotland.
RSVP to information@scotlink.org by Wednesday 26 February.
1400 – 1600
1.00 – 4.00
1330 – 1630
12 – 2pm
0930 – 1100am
10 – 11.30am
1000 – 1230
1400 – 1500
1030 – 1200
1400-1600
1300-1400
1330 start, contact Phoebe for more information
0930 – 1200
1330 – 1500
Contact Phoebe for more information
contact Juliet for more information
1400 – 1600
1100-1200
1100 – 1200
1400-1600
The levers for change: Environment Links UK biennial conference 2021
31 August 1130 – 1330: Session 1: Setting our seas on a path to recovery
Our seas are one of the UK’s greatest assets and yet, under pressure like never before. They provide vital ecosystem services, including food provision, protection from storms, nutrient cycling and mitigation of climate change impacts, but ongoing destruction of marine habitats and ecosystems impair their ability to provide these life-sustaining benefits.
Transformative change in how we use, manage, connect to, and ultimately protect and recover our ocean is urgently needed. To ensure that nature thrives, and the ecosystem service provided by the marine environment are available to future generations, our Administrations and Governments must commit to delivering ocean recovery.
For the opening session of Environment Links UK biennial meeting 2021, Scottish Environment LINK invites you to reflect on the actions needed to set our part of the global Ocean on a path to recovery! We will also showcase the inspiring stories of communities who work to protect and enhance Scotland’s marine environment.
Get ready to be inspired! Joining details here.
The levers for change: Environment Links UK biennial conference 2021
2 September 1130 – 1330: Session 2: Nature
COP-15 of the Convention on Biological Diversity will take place in China in early 2022. The outcome will guide global conservation efforts for a decade, and early indications had shown high ambition for halting nature’s decline and creating a nature-positive economy. Recently, however, ambition has wavered. What should we hope for from the negotiations in terms of targets, area-based protection and the crucial accountability mechanism? And how can the four countries of the UK contribute, collectively and through individual country-level leadership?
Join us for a look ahead at the negotiations and how the four Links can play a part. Joining details here.
The levers for change: Environment Links UK biennial conference 2021
7 September 1130 – 1330: Could all jobs be Green Jobs?
The public profile of ‘green jobs’ is on the rise. Over the last year, members of Link organisations have worked hard to position ourselves as employers of good quality green jobs; the agents of a green recovery. However, recent reports, such as Westminster’s Green Jobs Taskforce, have placed emphasis on green skills and greening of the workforce as a whole.
In this online interactive event, we will consider the merits of broadening our vision for green jobs to include a much greater share of the 35 million employees. Where are the opportunities to involve all workers in positive steps towards recovery of nature and building climate resilience? Which professions could do with green skills injection from Link organisations? How do Link organisations help all of government gain a rounded view of what green jobs are, and what they can do?
Led by NI Environment Link and the Ecosystems Knowledge Network. Joining details here.
The levers for change: Environment Links UK biennial conference 2021
9 September 1130 – 1330: Session 4: Delivering inclusive access to nature
A showcase of inclusive access projects from around the UK and an opportunity to learn more about the barriers faced by different communities when accessing nature and the countryside, how organisations have removed these barriers and made it easier for people to access nature.
Join us to hear more about inclusive access projects being delivered by the RSPB, Llais y Goedwig, Ramblers, Plantlife, Keep Wales Tidy and UK Youth for Nature. Joining details here.
1000 – 1630
Please join us from 13:30-15:30 on 17 November to discuss a proposed Scottish Environment LINK campaign on agriculture, plus what’s next for the Fight for Scotland’s Nature campaign now that we have a commitment from the Scottish government on nature restoration targets.
Please complete our short member survey https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/KWZ6RTW around your ambitions for LINK campaigns in 2022 and the proposed LINK agricultural campaign, by Wednesday 10 November.
We are very sorry that we have postponed our 2021 festive reception owning to the ongoing spread of the omicron variant of COVID-19. However, we plan to hold it early in 2022.
LINK’s Annual General Meeting will be taking place online, on Thursday 24 November from 16:00-17:00. The AGM is for LINK members only and a nominated representative from each member organisation should be present if possible. Members should contact Deborah@scotlink.org if this will not be possible. Please look out for more information nearer the time.
LINK’s annual Strategic Planning will be held online from 10:00-13:00 on Wednesday 14 December this year. We would love to see all of our convenors/vice-convenors and as many members as possible. More details are available here.
The topic of the reception will be farming for nature and climate and it will raise awareness of nature and climate friendly farming ahead of the Agriculture Bill, building upon both the outcomes of COP27 and the biodiversity COP15. Attendees will include parliamentarians, NGOs, statutory agencies, business, academics and other parts of civic society. The event will explore how Scotland can lead the way with best practice and solutions for the future of farming in Scotland.
10.00-11.15
This session will explore how best to engage with MSPs and the Scottish Parliament. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from a panel of experienced parliamentary officers and a former MSP on how to ensure your advocacy work is effective and impactful.
This session will be most useful for those with minimal advocacy experience and those looking to refresh and build on their existing skills.
To register your interest in attending, please email rachael@scotlink.org.
13.00-14.15
This session will explore how to effectively engage with the media, how to write compelling press releases, and how to ensure your communications speak to your audience.
This session will be appropriate for all wishing to develop or improve their media skills but may be most relevant for those working in organisations without dedicated media staff.
To register your interest, please email rachael@scotlink.org.
10.00-11.30
This session will provide a detailed look at the barriers to achieving change and the strategies the environmental movement can take to overcome these obstacles. Participants will apply strategic concepts to contemporary political issues and consider the most effective ways of achieving their objectives.
This session will be suitable for all LINK members.
To register your interest, please email rachael@scotlink.org.
10.00-12.00 [BACKUP SLOT IF OVER CAPACITY]
13.00-15.00 [MAX 10 ATTENDEES]
This session will equip participants to confidently and effectively undertake broadcast interviews. This will be an interactive session which will take place in person.
This session will be suitable for anybody who may speak on behalf of their organisation, regardless of experience.
To register your interest in attending, please email rachael@scotlink.org.
LINK and our members exist to act on behalf of all our members – those members of the public who join our member bodies – and on behalf of future generations. We are communities of interest for Scotland’s environment. However, there is an emergent gap in how we work with local communities of place. How we do that is the subject of the 2023 Congress.
Recent environmental legislative proposals, including HPMAs, have been hijacked by industry and others, who have been much more effective at communicating with local communities of place and who hear less from us, as communities of interest. If we are to make headway on those environmental policies that we know will restore and conserve Scotland’s environment for people today and in the future, working with communities of place is going to be vital in achieving success.
In the afternoon session, we have two keynote talks from other networks, Community Land Scotland and Coastal Community Network, whose members are communities of place. This is followed by a choice of three workshop presentations led by LINK member bodies and others, themed around working with communities of place and exploring successes, lessons learnt and opportunities for collaboration. We will discover and discuss ways of working with local communities and be inspired to take new approaches. We will also explore opportunities for funded projects to work with communities of place and future environmentalists. You will be able to choose your workshop on arrival.
During the afternoon, Leigh, our Nature for All EDI Officer will be on hand with information on the developing EDI training fortnight 2024 and for any queries about the project.
In the evening, we’ll hear from Dr Richard Dixon, one of LINK’s Honorary Fellows, who will speak to us over dinner, with his experience of achieving policy change and the tactics that work, including engaging local communities and amplifying their voices. You will receive a form about your menu choices, and any access requirements, by email.
Advocacy training for LINK members
10:00-12:00
This session will cover three policy-focused campaigns run by LINK member organisations. Participants will hear what worked, what didn’t work, and have an opportunity to discuss lessons learned.
To sign up, please email rachael@scotlink.org.
13:00-15:00
This session will equip participants to confidently and effectively undertake broadcast interviews. This will be an interactive session which will take place in person.
This session will be suitable for anybody who may speak on behalf of their organisation, regardless of experience.
To register your interest in attending, please email rachael@scotlink.org. Spaces limited.
LINK Congress 2024: Tackling false narratives: environment & conservation in the age of dis- and mis-information
LINK is hosting our annual Congress event this year on Wednesday 9 October at the Royal George Hotel, Perth.
The theme this year is Tackling false narratives: environment & conservation in the age of dis- and mis-information
We live in an age where information of various qualities swirls around us constantly. As eNGOs we can challenge or ignore dis- and mis-information. What is the best approach? Is there a way for eNGOs to lead the narrative and avoid being sucked into negative, energy sapping discussions that lead nowhere and distract from key issues?
This is the topic of this year’s congress. We have two key note speakers who will share their perspectives and experiences in navigating the world of online dis/mis -information. We will have three workshops offering lessons and potential tools in understanding when to respond and when to take the lead in positive conversations.
Our evening session provides the opportunity for informal conversations and catch up over an evening meal. Our dinner speaker will explore issues from the day.
The event is now live on Eventbrite here. Tickets costs are:
£30.00 for the daytime session (lunch and afternoon workshops)
£60.00 for the daytime session and evening session.
We are keeping costs down as low as possible and as always there are small number of bursaries available for members who would otherwise not be able to attend.
Please book a place now!
All attendees from member organisations should fill out this quick form to let us know about meal options and accessibility requirements. LINK staff/guest speakers should fill out this form.
If you have any queries, please contact rachael@scotlink.org
Master email list for Group Conveners and Vice-Conveners:
Matthew Crighton <mcrighton@foe-scotland.org.uk>
Lloyd Austin <lloydaustin@blueyonder.co.uk>
Calum Duncan <scotland@mcsuk.org>
Esme Clelland <Esme.Clelland@rspb.org.uk>
Duncan Orr-Ewing <duncan.orr-ewing@rspb.org.uk>
Pete Ritchie <pete@nourishscotland.org.uk>
Helen Todd <helen.todd@ramblers.org.uk>
John Thomson <thomsonhughes@btinternet.com>
Steven Gardner <sgardner@swt.org.uk>
Craig Macadam <craig.macadam@buglife.org.uk>
Dawn Purchase <dawn.purchase@mcsuk.org>
Alison Connelly <alison.connelly@rspb.org.uk>
Paul Walton <paul.walton@rspb.org.uk>
Sian Williams <Sian.Williams@rspb.org.uk>
Bruce Wilson (bwilson@swt.org.uk)
Mike Daniels <mike.daniels@johnmuirtrust.org>
Andrew Stark <Andrew.Stark@rspb.org.uk>
alistair.whyte@plantlife.org.uk
Logan Steele <logan.steele@live.co.uk>
Ian Thomson (ian.thomson@rspb.org.uk)
Alan McDonnell (alanm@treesforlife.org.uk)
Arina Russell <ArinaRussell@woodlandtrust.org.uk>
Catherine Gee <catherine.gee@keepscotlandbeautiful.org>
Isobel Mercer <Isobel.Mercer@rspb.org.uk>
Suzie Saunders <SuzieSaunders@woodlandtrust.org.uk>
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