Land

A ground-breaking initiative, which has distributed almost £3 million to transform the health of Scotland’s coasts and seas, opens its first privately-funded grant round.

The Scottish Marine Environmental Enhancement Fund (SMEEF) is Scotland’s only major green finance initiative, with funding from both the public and private sector, focussed on restoring the marine and coastal environment.

The latest cycle of a programme promoting sustainable innovation and transformational change in the agricultural sector has taken a step forward.

Backed by £1.7 million of funding, nine farms across Scotland will take part in the Scottish Monitor Farm Programme (MFP).

The programme focuses on practical farming and good business practices to build resilient, dynamic farms focused on reaching full economic, social and environmental sustainability.

Developments which reduce carbon emissions to tackle climate change and restore nature would be promoted under finalised proposals for long term planning reform.

A new nature reserve in the uplands of Dumfries and Galloway has doubled in size with the legal completion of the South of Scotland’s largest community buyout, in what organisers say is a ‘moment of history and hope’ for nature, climate and people.

The deadline for responding to the consultation for a new Agriculture Bill has been extended until Monday 5th December and an additional face to face workshop announced, which will be held in Orkney.

To date we have supported at six face to face events - Inverness, Portree, Inverurie, Oban, Melrose and most recently Stirling and have a further three planned events over the next few weeks covering Dumfries, Ayr and now Orkney 

Agriculture Bill Consultation - Orkney

As part of the Scottish Government’s consultation process to develop a new Agriculture Bill, nine face to face events will be held in locations across Scotland.

These will be general sessions looking at the proposals of the Agriculture Bill. There will also be five online virtual events focusing on specific themes included in the bill. Further information on these can be found here:

 

A new course in peatland restoration, the first of its kind in Scotland, is now open for booking. The course, supported with additional online learning, has been developed by Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) in partnership with NatureScot Peatland ACTION and is aimed at graduates currently involved, or aspiring to work, in the planning of peatland restoration schemes which are a vital nature-based solution to the climate emergency.

Scotland’s farmers, crofters, land-managers, small holders and small landholders are vital to our ambition to make our nation fairer and greener, and small landholders are part of this farming ambition.

New National Park Commission - National Event

NatureScot has been asked by the Scottish Government to work with them in establishing at least one new National Park by 2026, beginning with preparing further advice on what National Parks are expected to deliver for Scotland and how future areas can be selected for designation. Further background on this work can be found on the Scottish Government website.

New National Park Commission - South Scotland Event

NatureScot has been asked by the Scottish Government to work with them in establishing at least one new National Park by 2026, beginning with preparing further advice on what National Parks are expected to deliver for Scotland and how future areas can be selected for designation.

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