Scots ‘at the heart’ of plan for nature recovery

NatureScot have published a four‑year plan focuses on strengthening Scotland’s resilience to the damaging impacts of climate change by reconnecting people and nature, bringing its many benefits into everyone’s lives.

The organisation works closely with communities, farmers, fishermen, developers and local authorities to halt nature loss by 2030 and to restore and regenerate Scotland’s natural environment by 2045.

By bringing people and nature together, the plan aims to realise a vision of a Scotland where nature thrives and people flourish.

The benefits of this approach are already evident in projects such as Species on the Edge. Funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, NatureScot and seven conservation charities are collaborating with local communities and land managers to secure a future for 37 of Scotland’s most at‑risk coastal species.

Through the Scottish Government’s £65 million Nature Restoration Fund, people across the country are being empowered and supported to care for their local natural spaces. In Fife, for example, the Crail Community Partnership has transformed a disused airfield at Kilminning into a community nature reserve, turning tarmac into a haven for wildlife and a place for people to enjoy.

Across towns and cities, urban greening projects are helping to integrate nature into daily life, offering safer, healthier travel routes and spaces to relax and recover from life’s pressures. A notable example is the Canal and North Gateway project in Glasgow, which has revitalised former industrial land into vibrant communities, creating new walking and cycling paths while also managing flood risk.

A restored natural world will not only enhance biodiversity and support climate resilience but also improve people’s health and wellbeing. According to the Office for National Statistics, the health benefits of nature save the NHS in Scotland more than £1 billion each year, including up to £139 million in avoided health impacts from recreation in green spaces. In addition, vegetation from tree planting and nature restoration significantly reduces air pollution in Scotland, generating £868 million in health benefits.

Over the next four years NatureScot will work to:

• Strengthen people’s connection with nature, developing the nature-based workforce and enhancing skills, including volunteering and citizen science.
• Work with farmers, foresters, fishermen and other land managers to increase biodiversity on farms, in forests and in our seas.
• Safeguard at least 30% of land, rivers and seas by 2030, putting them back on the road to recovery.
• Accelerate peatland restoration in Scotland, contributing significantly to Scotland’s carbon emissions reduction.
• Expand sustainable deer management across Scotland to allow the natural regeneration of habitats.
• Increase levels of responsible public, private and philanthropic investments in nature restoration and climate resilience.

Climate Action Secretary Gillian Martin said:

“Scotland’s nature and natural assets are important to people, communities and the wider economy.  Ensuring the resilience of these assets in the face of a changing climate and biodiversity loss is critical if we are to maximise the multiple benefits they deliver for Scotland.

“I am pleased to endorse NatureScot’s next four-year plan, which seeks to further strengthen people’s understanding and connection with nature and commitment to working with business on nature-positive investment in support of economic growth.”

NatureScot Chair Professor Colin Galbraith said:

“We are on the brink of losing the beauty, value and benefits of nature because our natural world is in a deepening crisis, and climate change shows little sign of slowing.

“But when people and nature come together, we can achieve truly remarkable things. By putting people at the heart of nature recovery, we can turn this around and enjoy the many benefits of nature, wherever we live and whatever we do.

“This plan sets out the bold actions NatureScot will take, alongside our partners and communities, to increase biodiversity and tackle climate change, making sure Scotland’s people and nature flourish.”

Main Image Creidt: Aquatic plant survey at Marlee Loch near Blairgowrie. ©Lorne Gill/NatureScot