Latest news with #ScottishRewildingAlliance
The National
11 hours ago
- Politics
- The National
Scottish Government accused of shutting door on rewilding projects
A meeting with the Scottish Rewilding Alliance, a coalition of more than 20 organisations, and former Minister for Climate Action Dr Alasdair Allan MSP, was scheduled for Wednesday but was cancelled without being rescheduled. THE Scottish Government has been criticised for cancelling a meeting about beaver restoration and failing to schedule a replacement, with activists warning that the 'door is shutting' on biodiversity. It was expected to discuss concerns over 'stalled progress' on the recovery of beaver populations and the need for 'courageous' leadership by ministers and government agency, NatureScot, however Dr Allan left government earlier this month. The coalition warned that biodiversity risked being 'marginalised' ahead of the Holyrood elections in 2026, despite high profile support for a bid for Scotland to become a 'rewilding nation' including from actors Leonardo DiCaprio and Brian Cox. READ MORE: Palestine Action activist rejects Home Secretary's Glasgow protest claim In December 2024, Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS), in partnership with rewilding charity Trees for Life, submitted a licence application to NatureScot to release a family of beavers on its land in Glen Affric in the Highlands, after two years of extensive consultations. Beavers create wetlands, soak up carbon dioxide, purify water and reduce flooding, and can bring in tourism, and polls showed 80% of people think the Scottish Government should support rewilding, according to the charities. In April, NatureScot delayed a decision on granting a licence for a community-backed proposal to reintroduce beavers, citing concern, despite previously describing engagement as exemplary and the proposal as in line with policy. Surveys showed that two-thirds of people surveyed support the beaver reintroduction, during two years of research, according to the coalition. But a Freedom of Information request revealed it was perceived by a NatureScot official as 'novel and contentious' and was referred to ministers, with a decision was delayed after lobbying, the charities claimed. It was said to have prompted an intervention by local MSP and deputy first minister Kate Forbes, who is said to have raised the case with Mairi Gougeon MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, according to a Freedom of Information request from investigative journalism publication the Ferret. The coalition said it was concerned that NatureScot 'is being hobbled by political game-playing ahead of an election year', and appeasing others, including from National Farmers Union Scotland. Steve Micklewright, chief executive of Trees for Life, said: 'Beavers have been present in the catchment for 15 years with no issues. 'The Glen Affric community is overwhelmingly in favour of an official reintroduction, and NatureScot officials described the public engagement as exemplary and 'above and beyond'. 'NatureScot also tells us that it fully endorses the environmental case for beaver restoration in Glen Affric. So what is going on? 'This is bigger than a single family of beavers finding a new home on a national nature reserve. 'Why does the government keep marginalising efforts to restore biodiversity to satisfy vested interests? Can NatureScot show leadership and vision on large-scale nature recovery in the face of anti-nature lobbying?' Karen Blackport, the Scottish Rewilding Alliance's co-convenor and chief executive of Bright Green Nature, said: 'The Scottish Government's approach on beavers is a symptom of a bigger problem. It's failing to take its biodiversity commitments seriously, and there are worrying questions around consistency, fairness and transparency in decision-making. 'Scotland has no need to languish as one of the world's most nature-depleted countries – but we are lagging on nature recovery where we should be leading.' Kevin Cumming, Rewilding Britain's rewilding director and deputy convenor of the Scottish Rewilding Alliance, said: 'Rewilding offers hope for tackling the nature and climate emergencies, and a wealth of social and economic benefits for communities from jobs to health. 'Large-scale nature recovery should be prioritised not marginalised. 'If the Government is truly committed to protecting 30% of Scotland for nature by 2030 then it needs to stop shutting the door in the face of rewilding organisations.' NatureScot director of green economy Robbie Kernahan said: 'NatureScot is committed to expanding the beaver population across Scotland for the benefit of biodiversity, in line with Scotland's Beaver Strategy. 'A huge amount of work has been taking place to ensure this, and a lot of progress has been made, with the population of beavers in Scotland expanding and their range increasing accordingly.'
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Wildlife body warns over progress on nature recovery
A collaboration of wildlife organisations has warned that it could take almost 70 years for large-scale nature restoration to be under way across 30% of Scotland. More than 20 organisations, under the umbrella of the Scottish Rewilding Alliance (SRA), said rewilding is currently under way across 2.5% of the country's land, with 195,615 hectares rewilding. This is an increase of 32,985 hectares since the alliance's last assessment one year ago, which reported that 2.1% of Scotland's land was rewilding. In line with global targets, the alliance said the Scottish Government is committed to protect at least 30% of its land and sea for nature by 2030. But at current rates of increase, it will take 65 years before major nature restoration is under way across 30% of Scotland's land. Rewilding has been surging in recent years, and across Scotland there are now nearly 200 projects led by communities, charities, farmers, landowners, public bodies and others. However, the alliance says a significant increase in political support is now needed to reach the target. This week the SRA is to speak to MSPs at a dedicated display stand in the Scottish Parliament. Steve Micklewright, the SRA's co-convenor and chief executive of Trees for Life, said: 'Urgent political action is needed. 'Leaving it until 2090 before Scotland can benefit from nature recovery across 30% of its land is something we can't afford. 'Politicians from all parties need to step up. 'With political will, rewilding can help us tackle the nature and climate emergencies while benefiting health, jobs, sustainable food production and re-peopling, and ensuring clean air and water, and healthy rivers and seas.' The alliance says Scotland is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world, with intensive agriculture and climate breakdown having the biggest impacts on habitats and wildlife, with other threats including non-native forestry, pollution, and introduced species. It says polls show that 80% of Scots think the Scottish Government should have policies in place to support rewilding. The alliance fears that planned legislation, including the Land Reform Bill, may be less ambitious than planned when it comes to nature restoration. Levels of marine recovery are unknown, due to government delays on ensuring effective Marine Protected Areas and lack of support for large-scale marine restoration. The alliance warned that based on known rewilding projects, however, the total area of Scotland's seas in recovery is believed to be dangerously low at less than 1%. Karen Blackport, the alliance's co-convenor and chief executive of Bright Green Nature, said: 'With political leadership in line with its international commitments, Scotland could become a world leader in nature recovery – the opportunities and benefits are huge. 'Declaring Scotland a rewilding nation would lead to meaningful action, with ministers committing to restoring the country's natural environment through legislation and funding to enable rewilding and empower local communities.' The Rewilding Nation Charter at calling on the government to declare Scotland a rewilding nation, has been signed by thousands of people. The campaign was backed by high-profile names including Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio, actor Brian Cox, singer Nathan Evans, and activist Laura Young (Less Waste Laura). A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'Restoring Scotland's natural environment is a key way that we can help address the twin challenges of nature loss and climate change, including many of the interventions championed by the Scottish Rewilding Alliance. 'We welcome this evidence of employment in rural communities and will consider this research as we continue to work towards our commitment to protect and restore 30% of Scotland's land and seas for nature. 'Our £65 million Nature Restoration Fund has committed nearly £40 million since 2021 to unlock the full potential that nature restoration projects can bring to communities. 'The fund has supported local businesses, helped landowners with pollinator projects to boost food production and supported improved access to green spaces throughout Scotland, alongside restoration of our marine environment.'
