NatureScot is the Scottish Government's adviser on all aspects of nature, wildlife management and landscape across Scotland, and also helps the Scottish Government meet its responsibilities under European environmental laws, particularly in relation to the Habitats Directive and the Birds Directive.[4] The agency currently employs in the region of 700 people, but much of NatureScot's work is carried out in partnership with others including local authorities, Government bodies, voluntary environmental bodies, community groups, farmers and land managers. The body has offices in most parts of Scotland including the main islands. NatureScot works closely with the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) and the equivalent bodies for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland to ensure a consistent approach to nature conservation throughout the United Kingdom and towards fulfilling its international obligations.
The agency was formed in 1992 as Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH).[5] In November 2019 it was announced that SNH would be re-branded as NatureScot, however its legal persona and statutory functions would remain unchanged.[6] The change took effect on 24 August 2020.[7]
Roles and responsibilities
The general aims of NatureScot as established in the Natural Heritage (Scotland) Act 1991 are to:[5]
Secure the conservation and enhancement of Scotland's natural heritage;
Foster understanding and facilitate the enjoyment of Scotland's natural heritage;
For the purposes of the Act, Scotland's natural heritage is defined as the flora and fauna of Scotland, its geological and physiographical features and its natural beauty and amenity. Specific responsibilities of NatureScot include:
Providing advice to the Scottish government on the development and implementation of policies relevant to the natural heritage of Scotland;
Disseminating information and advice relating to the natural heritage of Scotland to the public;
Carrying out and commissioning research relating to the natural heritage of Scotland;
Establishing, maintaining and managing designated areas of conservation in Scotland;
Protected areas
Caerlaverock is a national nature reserve managed by NatureScot
National nature reserves (NNRs) are areas of land or water designated under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to contain habitats and species of national importance. NNRs can be owned by public, private, community or voluntary organisations but must be managed to conserve their important habitats and species, as well as providing opportunities for the public to enjoy and engage with nature. There are currently 43 NNRs in Scotland, which cover 154,250 hectares (1,542.5 km2).[8]
There are 40 national scenic areas (NSAs) in Scotland, covering 13% of the land area of Scotland. The 40 NSAs were originally identified in 1978 by the Countryside Commission for Scotland in 1978 as areas of "national scenic significance... of unsurpassed attractiveness which must be conserved as part of our national heritage".[9]
Vulnerable plant and animal species in Scotland are protected under various legislation. In many cases it is an offence to kill or capture members of a protected animal species, or to uproot plants. NatureScot's primary role in regard to protected species is to license activities that would otherwise be an offence.[10]
Enjoying the outdoors
NatureScot is responsible for promoting public access and enjoyment of the outdoors. It created and updates the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, which provides detailed guidance on the exercise of the ancient tradition of universal access to land in Scotland, which was formally codified by the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003.[11] It also hosts the National Access Forum, which brings together all bodies with an interest in land access issues.[12]
NatureScot also support the management of the three regional parks.[13] It acts as the "custodian" of Scotland's Great Trails, maintaining the official list and providing some finance and publicity to the trails, although responsibility for creating and maintaining each route lies with the local authorities through which a route passes.[14]
Governance
NatureScot is governed by its board. As of August 2022, the board is made up of twelve members and is chaired by Mike Cantlay. Board members are appointed by Scottish Government ministers for an initial term of 4 years and normally serve a maximum of two terms. The primary roles of the board are to determine the objectives, strategies and policies of NatureScot in respect to its statutory obligations and guidance from the Scottish Government. Meetings of the NatureScot Board are open to the public to attend as observers.[15][16]
Day-to-day operations are led by the Senior Leadership Team, consisting of a chief executive, who is appointed by the board, and a number of directors and deputy directors. As of August 2022[update] the Senior Leadership Team comprised:[17]
Chief Executive and Accountable Officer: Francesca Osowska
Director of Business Services and Transformation: Jane Macdonald
Director of Green Economy: Robbie Kernahan
Director of Nature and Climate Change: Nick Halfhide
Deputy Director of Green Economy: Claudia Rowse
Deputy Director of Nature and Climate Change: Eileen Stuart
Head of External Affairs: Jason Ormiston
Deputy Director of Business Services and Transformation: Stuart MacQuarrie
Supporting the Board are three committee, the Scientific Advisory Committee, the Protected Areas Committee, and the Audit and Risk Committee.[18]
NatureScot programmes and priorities have a strong focus on helping to deliver the Scottish Government's National Outcomes and Targets which comprise the National Performance Framework.[19] NatureScot is also a member of SEARS (Scotland's Environmental and Rural Services).
History
Former logo of Scottish Natural Heritage
The agency was formed as Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) in 1992 from the amalgamation of the Nature Conservancy Council for Scotland and the Countryside Commission for Scotland to “secure the conservation and enhancement of, and to foster understanding and facilitate the enjoyment of the natural heritage of Scotland”.[5]
In March 2003, Scottish Ministers announced their decision to transfer SNH's headquarters from Edinburgh to Inverness, with around 270 jobs to be transferred.[20] Prior to the move, relocation costs were variously estimated at between £22 million and £40 million.[21] The decision to transfer SNH's headquarters was heavily criticized by MSPs, unions, Edinburgh civic leaders and staff.[22] Criticism focused on the cost of the move, the disruption to staff and the risk of compromising the effectiveness of SNH's work. Up to 75% of headquarters staff were reported to be against the move.[22] Relocation took place between 2003 and 2006, many staff left at this point as they did not wish to, or were unable to transfer location.
In 2006, SNH headquarters staff moved into Great Glen House, a £15 million purpose-built headquarters building in Inverness. Great Glen House was built by Robertson Property, working with Keppie Design. As part of the tendering process, SNH set seven environmental and sustainability criteria for the design including achieving an 'Excellent' rating under the BREEAM system. The final design met all criteria and achieved the highest ever BREEAM rating for a public building in the UK.[23]
On 1 August 2010, the functions of the Deer Commission for Scotland were transferred to SNH by section 1 of the Public Services (Reform) (Scotland) Act 2010 and the Commission was dissolved.[24][25]
In support of its statutory duties, NatureScot undertakes many individual projects across Scotland, often in collaboration with land managers, charities and local communities.[26]
Stoat eradication project
The introduction of alien stoats since 2010 has created serious problems for native species in Orkney:
The introduction of a ground predator like the stoat to islands such as Orkney, where there are no native ground predators, is very bad news for Orkney’s native species. Stoats are accomplished predators and pose a very serious threat to Orkney’s wildlife, including: the native Orkney vole, hen harrier, short-eared owl and many ground nesting birds
In 2018, a stoat eradication project was presented by NatureScot to be applied "across Orkney Mainland, South Ronaldsay, Burray, Glimps Holm, Lamb Holm and Hunda, and the biosecurity activities delivered on the non-linked islands of the archipelago". The project, which is run by a partnership including NatureScot, RSPB Scotland and Orkney Islands Council,[27] uses "humane DOC150 and DOC200 traps".[28] A report issued in October 2020 stated that over 5,000 traps had been deployed. Specifics were provided as to the locations.[29]
Not all was going well as of 15 January 2021, according to The Times which stated that the project "has been hit by alleged sabotage after the destruction and theft of traps that have also killed and injured household pets and other animals" but added that the £6 million programme was supported by most islanders.[30] Another news item stated that some of the traps had "caught and killed family pets as well as hundreds of other animals".[31] A subsequent report confirmed that "Police Scotland is investigating a number of incidents involving damage to and the theft of stoat traps in Orkney".[32]
