About SNH

Where does SNH stand on some key issues?

• Sustainable development and land use
  • Renewable energy
  • Sustainable development
  • Tourism
  • Agriculture
  • Rural Development contracts and Natural Care Schemes
  • Fisheries
  • Transport
• People and the natural heritage
  • Access and enjoying the outdoors
  • Health benefits of outdoor recreation
  • Volunteering
  • Greenspace for communities
  • Community learning and development
    Regeneration
  • Breathing Places
  • A Curriculum for Excellence and outdoor learning
• Environment
  • Climate change
  • Biodiversity
  • Species Action Framework
  • Landscapes
  • Greening

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Sustainable development and land use

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Renewable energy

SNH views climate change as one of the most serious threats over coming decades to Scotland’s natural heritage. 

We therefore strongly support the development of renewable energy if it replaces the burning of fossil fuels.  Our roles are mainly to:

• offer advice to developers to help them select appropriate locations and assess the likely impacts;
• act as a statutory adviser to local authorities and the Scottish Government , giving our advice on renewable energy project applications and associated Environmental Statements.

To help us do this, we:

• have supportive policy statements on renewable energy generally, on marine renewables and biomass energy, and a locational strategy for onshore windfarms;
• publish guidance on a range of more technical issues, such as how to assess the impacts of windfarms on birds and landscapes;
• encourage a planned approach to renewables, using the right sites to minimise adverse impacts on the natural heritage. 

Since 2001, we have responded to over 150 renewables proposals.  We have supported around 75% of these, some without reservation and some subject to conditions relating to the natural heritage. 

We believe that the Executive’s target of 40% renewable electricity by 2020 can be met, largely through onshore wind and existing large-scale hydro schemes, though not without a significant cumulative impact on some of Scotland’s upland landscapes.   We believe that meeting higher targets will be dependent on bringing forward offshore technologies such as wave and tidal stream power and offshore wind.

For further information contact  jane.clark@snh.gov.uk
0131 446 2208

Sustainable development

Sustainable development is about meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Scotland’s Sustainable Development Strategy Choosing Our Future frames sustainable development in terms of 5 principles.  SNH has a key role in helping Government to achieve its goals of living within environmental limits and having a just society.

Our approach is set out in Sustainable Development and the Natural Heritage.  Our vision is that all activities which use or have an impact upon Scotland’s natural heritage should be environmentally sustainable, which means that:

• non-renewable resources should be used at a rate which does not restrict the options of future generations;
• renewable resources should be used within the limits of their capacity for regeneration;
• the quality of the natural heritage as a whole should be maintained and improved;
• in situations of great complexity or uncertainty the precautionary principle should be applied;
• there should be an equitable distribution of costs and benefits (material and non-material) for any development - development should not benefit one country, or geographical area, or sector of society, while imposing the costs on another.

We promote education on sustainable development and we are closely involved with the Scottish approach to the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development.

For further information contact clive.mitchell@snh.gov.uk
01738 458623

Tourism

Visitors consistently rate Scotland’s landscapes and wildlife as their number one reason for holidaying in Scotland. 

SNH believes that investing in this resource is an essential part of supporting tourism, in meeting national goals for growth in the tourism industry and in becoming the most sustainable destination in Europe by 2015. 

Our work supports all four themes in the national tourism strategy, Tourism Framework for Change:

• Sustainability  - we’re founder members of the industry-led Sustainable Tourism Partnership which is seeking to make Scotland the most sustainable destination in Europe.
• Knowing Your Market  - our research programme links with the tourism sector through the Tourism Research Network, and this helps to strengthen product and destination development.
• Exceeding Visitors Expectations  - we help to provide a professional and informed welcome to Scotland’s visitors through our support for 300 rangers and wildlife guides throughout Scotland. We promote National Nature Reserves as amazing places to visit and learn about our wildlife and landscapes, and are investing £1.4 million to help improve visitor facilities and provide state-of-the-art interpretation that’s driven by visitor needs, such as at Knockan Crag (see www.knockan-crag.co.uk).

Innovation and Product Development  - our advice and grant support to communities, tourism providers, and area tourism and heritage partnerships can often make a real difference and make the most of what our visitors want to see more of: Scotland’s people and places.

For further information contact Claudia.Rowse@snh.gov.uk
01463 725319

Agriculture

Much of the variety and interest of Scotland’s landscapes, habitats and wildlife has been created by generations of farmers and crofters working on the land.

Agriculture should provide prosperity and employment for rural and remote areas, supporting a thriving and dynamic countryside in a way that protects and enriches Scotland’s natural heritage. It is important that it should be maintained wherever it has an important social or environmental function.

Agricultural policies should reflect the wide range of social and environmental benefits that farmers can provide, as part of a coherent rural policy having environmental care as its cornerstone.

Agri-environmental measures are particularly important because they are the main source of funding for managing the natural heritage on farmed land.  More of the public financial support for agriculture should be re-directed into programmes for positive environmental management.

SNH works in partnership with others to:

• promote agricultural systems that favour the natural heritage and minimise adverse impacts on the environment, including organic farming;
• encourage good practice in the management of farmed land so as to benefit its wildlife and landscapes;
• provide grants and other support to help farmers and crofters create opportunities for public access and recreation,
• encourage initiatives that enable farmers to diversify their businesses for the benefit of the environment or in ways that provide opportunities for people to enjoy the countryside,
• develop and implement the Scotland Rural Development Programme as an integrated programme of support for land use and rural development.

For further information contact peter.pitkin@snh.gov.uk
0131 446 2215

Rural Development contracts and Natural Care Schemes

Follow this link to Rural development contracts and natural care schemes

Fisheries

Sea fisheries depend on the health of Scotland’s marine biodiversity.

Our aims are to:

• help integrate environmental considerations into fisheries management;
• secure commitment to long-term objectives for safeguarding biodiversity and looking after the environment;
• encourage an ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management; and
• encourage stronger stakeholder involvement in fisheries management. 

To do this, we are a member of the Scottish Inshore Fisheries Advisory Group and contributed to the review of inshore fisheries that resulted in the ‘Framework For Inshore Fisheries in Scotland’.

We view the establishment of the proposed Inshore Fishery Groups as a key development in securing sustainable management of inshore fisheries. 

Locally, we have supported a number of fishery initiatives, seeking benefits for both biodiversity and long-term sustainability.  These initiatives include the Shetland and Solway Regulating Orders, and the Clyde Fishery Development Project. 

Fishing is an important issue in the management of some Natura sites.  Sometimes restrictions are needed, such as in the Loch Creran and Firth of Lorn Special Areas for Conservation, and our research plays a critical role in this work.  A lot of our work is done in partnership with industry and fishery scientists, such as with the Fisheries Research Services Marine Laboratory and local fishers on a study of the Nephrops creel fishery in the Loch Torridon area. 

For further information contact Dominic.Counsell@snh.gov.uk
0131 446 2418

Transport

Good transport links are vital to Scotland’s economy.
To help look after Scotland’s natural heritage, SNH believes that the key needs are to make transport as sustainable as possible, to minimise impacts on the natural heritage, and to encourage other types of transport, such as walking and cycling.

We work with the Scottish Government , Transport Scotland and local authorities on transport issues.  We are a statutory consultee for:

• Strategic Environmental Assessments of the National Transport Strategy and regional transport strategies;
• Environmental Impact Assessments of individual transport projects, including those that may affect internationally and/or nationally important protected areas

We also:

• are a member of the Environmental Interests Reference Group for the National Transport Strategy;
• work with local authorities and the Paths for All Partnership to plan and promote core path networks and cycle routes;
• work with others to promote awareness of the impact of personal travel choices on climate change.

For further information contact daniel.gotts@snh.gov.uk
0131 446 2440

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People and the natural heritage

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Access and enjoying the outdoors

Enjoying the outdoors is important to many people in Scotland. It can also help deliver many social, economic and environmental benefits, from more sustainable travel and increased tourism to better health and quality of life.
Encouraging participation, promoting responsible outdoor access and supporting sustainable development are key to realising these benefits.

In 2007, SNH has produced a policy statement, Enjoying The Outdoors, which sets out our vision and key priorities.  These priorities are that:

• the benefits from enjoying the outdoors should be shared by all of Scotland’s people;
• path networks and greenspace should be developed close to home to provide communities throughout Scotland with opportunities to enjoy the outdoors;
• on-going effort is required to influence responsible use of the outdoors;
• provision for enjoying the outdoors should be well-managed, effectively integrated with other land uses and meet the needs of all interests;
• the importance of enjoying the outdoors to people’s quality of life should be recognised and championed.

Along with the national Access Forum, we  played a key role in developing the Land Reform (Scotland ) Act 2003 and the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.  Since 2004, we’ve been promoting awareness of the Code, which has increased from under 7% of the Scottish population to over 60%. 

We also support Scotland’s local authorities in providing paths, greenspace and country parks, ranger services and long distance routes. We also established and continue to support the Paths for All Partnership who offer advice and training to help with the development of local path networks.

For further information contact peter.rawcliffe@snh.gov.uk
01738 458624

Health benefits of outdoor recreation

Scotland’s natural heritage is an outstanding resource which provides opportunities for people to get more active, helps people to escape from the hustle of modern living and gives people the opportunity to ‘recharge’ their batteries.  In short, outdoor recreation delivers significant health benefits at very low cost.

In 2005,  75% population made at least one visit to the outdoors and 43% visited at least once a week  for leisure and recreation purposes.   Encouraging more people to get out and enjoy the outdoors is a key aim of our new policy statement, Enjoying The Outdoors.

The main outdoor recreation activity is walking, which requires no particular skills or equipment and can be done informally by anyone. Paths to Health is a major project within the Path for All Partnership and is a key agent in delivering Scotland’s Physical Activity Strategy. Paths to Health targets the most inactive and those suffering greatest health inequalities in Scotland. Key features of the initiative are:

• there are now 200 community schemes with 20,000 people area taking part each week;
• a Primary Care pedometer pack to support health professionals in providing targeted advice to inactive patients;
• a workplace pedometer pack, training and grants scheme  to promote walking to work;
• a national networking event which brings together 300 people with an interest in delivering walking for health in Scotland.

For further information contact Ron.McCraw@snh.gov.uk
01786 435394

Volunteering

Our vision for environmental volunteering is that:

Through environmental volunteering, more people in Scotland will take positive action for the natural heritage, and in doing so will enjoy benefits to their quality of life and well-being.

SNHs role is to help increase the number of people involved in volunteering and the number of volunteering opportunities that are available.  In late 2007 we published a policy statement on Environmental Volunteering in Scotland. This sets out how we will work with others to involve more people in volunteering.

Although we provide some opportunities for volunteering within SNH, our main priority is to work with partners to develop environmental volunteering in Scotland.  For example, we:

• provide grant to the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers Scotland, which in 2007/08 supported over 6,000 volunteers, including 3,000 new volunteers, working on over 760 projects, many of which involved young people and excluded or disadvantaged groups; 
• support the Action Earth campaign run by Community Service Volunteers in Scotland;
• undertook an audit and review of volunteering in the natural heritage (insert link to research report here); 
• work with the Forum for Environmental Volunteering Activity (FEVA) to co-ordinate action and share good practice across the sector.

For further information contact Scott.Ferguson@snh.gov.uk
0141 951 0825

 

Greenspace for communities

The majority of people in Scotland live in towns and cities.  SNH is working hard to improve the quality of the environment, for people and wildlife, in these places.   

A key part of our work is a partnership initiative with the goal of ensuring that everyone living and working in urban Scotland has easy access to quality greenspaces. Led and core funded by SNH in partnership with local authorities and others, we have provided £7 million over the last 5 years towards greenspace action and this has supported projects worth almost £30 million.  Key themes are to: 

• increase community involvement in looking after greenspaces; and
• develop local and national partnerships to improve local greenspace and the contribution it makes to wider health, community, economic and environmental objectives.

One of our main achievements has been to establish, with our partners, Greenspace Scotland. This is a federation of greenspace partnerships, such as Glasgow and Clyde Valley Green Network, Dundee Partnership for the Environment and the Central Scotland Countryside Forest Trust.  Members of the Greenspace Scotland network include local authorities, developers, housing associations and other greenspace interests. Its role is to facilitate a step change in the creation and sustainable management of quality greenspace. 

SNH and its partners reviewed the greenspace initiative in 2006.  The review concluded that greenspace must become part of the “mainstream” of public policy in Scotland.

For further information contact Ian.Angus@snh.gov.uk
0141 951 0843

Community learning and development

Community Learning and Development is part of the Scottish Government ’s approach to lifelong learning.  The main aim is to help individuals and communities tackle real issues in their lives through community action and community-based learning. 

SNH is working closely with Communities Scotland to identify the best ways of ensuring that the natural heritage is incorporated into Community Learning and Development programmes.  One result of this work is a research report, Reviewing the Natural Heritage Content of Community Learning and Development Programmes.

We have also produced a joint publication with Communities Scotland called Practice Examples: Community Learning and Development and the Natural Heritage.

SNH, Communities Scotland and local community learning and development partnerships intend running a series of regional events that will focus on building relationships between community education workers and people working on biodiversity, access and other environmental activities.

For further information contact Catriona.Morrison@snh.gov.uk
0141 951 0871

Regeneration

The environment is a huge asset for Scotland’s economy, for the health and education of its people and for the education of its young people. 

Not only does the natural heritage underpin major sectors such as tourism, agriculture, water supply and forestry, but it also underpins our quality of life and our ability to attract and retain major economic investment.  In doing so, the natural heritage has a central role to play in supporting regeneration and in growing Scotland’s economy.

We support this through our greenspace work, which includes an increased targeting of action in the areas of greatest economic and social disadvantage.  In recent years, Scotland’s Sustainable Development Strategy and People and Place: Regeneration Policy Statement have recognised the importance of the environment in these issues.  Our role is to support the implementation of these and other strategies through our work. 

For further information contact Ian.Angus@snh.gov.uk
0141 951 0843

Breathing Places

Breathing Places is a BBC-led campaign which is aiming to create many more places for wildlife and people across the UK and increase people’s awareness and understanding of nature.  The campaign is urging people to “do one thing” for nature and it involves:

• a number of programmes (such as Springwatch, Autumnwatch and a major series, called Nature of Britain, which will be shown on BBC1 later on in 2007) which are helping to raise general public awareness of wildlife and environmental issues in the UK; and
• action on the ground, with the creation of new places for people and wildlife in schools and in communities;
• major events throughout the UK, coinciding with Springwatch and Autumnwatch (the Springwatch event in Glasgow on 9 June 2007 attracted 30,000 people).

The scale of  TV and radio coverage of wildlife in Britain is unprecedented.  It provides a one-off opportunity to raise public awareness of wildlife and related issues in a significant way – we simply couldn’t do this on such a scale on our own.

SNH chairs the Scottish Advisory Group which brings together the BBC and its partners.  A key role for the Group is to ensure that the campaign is effective in Scotland and that it complements existing work rather than duplicating or complicating it.  We also provide grant support to projects in our towns and cities.

For further information contact Richard.Davison@snh.gov.uk
01738 458589

A Curriculum for Excellence and outdoor learning

The Scottish Government ’s new approach to school education, ‘A Curriculum for Excellence’, sets out four purposes of education: successful learner, confident individual, responsible citizen, effective contributor.  A Curriculum for Excellence also recognises that learning is embedded in experience, and learning is enriched by different settings, including the outdoors.  

Learning outdoors gives young people the chance to learn more about themselves, the natural world and their relationship with it.  For SNH, taking learning outdoors gives us the opportunity to promote understanding of the natural heritage, and to build enthusiasm for enjoying and caring for it.  The Scottish Biodiversity Strategy also identifies first hand experience of the natural world as forming the foundation for people’s commiment to biodiversity.

Key elements of SNHs approach are:

• working closely with Learning and Teaching Scotland and others through the Outdoor Connections programme, which culminated in a recent report “Taking Learning Outdoors- Partnerships for Excellence”;
• carrying out, with Learning and Teaching Scotland and the  Scottish Government , the most comprehensive national study on learning outdoors to be undertaken anywhere in the world;
• making it easier for teachers to take learning outdoors in support of A Curriculum for Excellence through our TeachingSpace website, which offers easily accessible information about places for learning outdoors;
• providing grant support to help schools to develop their school grounds as outdoor classrooms;
• supporting the work of Grounds for Learning, a voluntary body which provides advice and training to schools and teachers on how to improve school grounds and make best use of them in their teaching work;
• developing outdoor learning and teaching approaches to support the ‘experiences and outcomes’ across the 8 subject areas;
• working on Sustainable Development Education with Learning and Teaching Scotland and its liaison group;
• developing and providing continuing professional development opportunities to support teachers in implementing A Curriculum for Excellence outdoors; and
• supporting the Eco Schools programme, through its biodiversity module, which encourages school pupils to take responsibility for managing their school grounds, looking at biodiversity and growing food, and making links to the natural world outwith the school gates. 

Contact:  rachel.hellings@snh.gov.uk
01738 458638

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Environment

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Climate change

SNH views climate change as one of the most serious threats over coming decades to Scotland’s natural heritage.  The climate in Scotland is changing and this will have an effect on our natural heritage.

We are working to help deliver Scotland's Climate Change Programme, Changing our Ways.

Our response so far has included:

• supporting targets to reduce carbon emissions by 2050 through our policy on Energy and the Natural Heritage;
• strongly supporting the development of renewable energy if it replaces the burning of fossil fuels (see the section on renewable energy);
• published with others A handbook of climate trends across Scotland;
• published a report on indicators of climate change;
• setting an example through our internal Environmental Management Programme.

Our research and development strategy sets out three research priorities:

• ensuring that there is adequate knowledge on the species, habitats, ecosystems and landscapes of conservation concern to inform the development of suitable adapative management strategies;
• predicting and assessing the potential for range shifts for species moving as a result of climate change;
• applying the unique knowledge and experience of SNH in contributing to realistic models and exploring practical adapative management options for species and habitats, particularly those that are most vulnerable and threatened.

We intend to develop our approach to addressing climate change in 2007, working with others to identify where we should focus our efforts.

For further information contact John.Baxter@snh.gov.uk
0131 446 2434

Biodiversity

Scotland has some of the best wild areas and most iconic species in the whole of Europe.  Scotland’s biodiversity is a vital part of our natural and cultural heritage that enriches and underpins our lives – the air we breathe, the water we use and the soil we grow our food in all depend on it.

Halting the loss of biodiversity is an important priority for Scotland.  The Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 places on all statutory bodies a duty to help conserve and manage Scotland’s biodiversity.

SNHs main role is to help protect and enhance Scotland’s biodiversity.  Key elements of our work include:

• playing a lead role in implementing the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy;
• having lead responsibility for 6 Habitat Action Plans and 24 Species Actions Plans (identified in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan);
• supporting local biodiversity action through the delivery of Local Biodiversity Action Plans;
• working with the Scottish Government to develop a communications plan to help increase people’s awareness of biodiversity issues;
• playing an important role in the Scottish Biodiversity Committee and the various strategy implementation groups;
• providing a web-based service, called SNHi, which provides information on species and their distribution, sites of international and national importance, and the changing state of Scotland’s natural heritage;
• supporting the work of the Biodiversity Implementation Team.

For further information contact Brigid.Primrose@snh.gov.uk
01463 725251

Species Action Framework

Scotland boasts a rich range of species - some 90,000 different animals, plants and fungi inhabit Scotland's land and sea.  The Scottish Biodiveristy Strategy sets out what needs to be done over the next 25 years to conserve and enhance this biodiversity.

Our priority is to focus on those species where significant gains can be secured.  To help do this, SNH has produced a Species Action Framework which identifies a list of 32 species where new, focused effort and resources over the next five years can make the most difference.

The Framework highlights four situations when species management is needed:

• species conservation - where targeted action is needed to increase the range or population of a species, such as capercaillie, red squirrel or the Scottish wildcat, because it’s at risk or because it plays a vital role in providing a healthy environment;
• invasive non-native species - where species not native to an area threaten biodiversity, such as the American mink, the grey squirrel or the North American signal crayfish;
• conflicts of interest - when the behaviour of a species, such as the hen harrier, brings it into conflict with people's interests or with the conservation of other species or habitats;
• sustainable use - where a species in the wild is a resource of social or economic benefit, such as the red deer and roe deer.

For further information contact Martin.Gaywood@snh.gov.uk
01463 725230

Landscapes

The diversity of Scotland’s landscapes are described as a “national treasure” in the National Planning Framework and they are a key resource for our tourism industry.

SNHs Landscape Policy Framework sets out  our approach to landscape issues. Our priorities are to:

• raise awareness of Scotland’s landscapes and the human and natural processes which shape them, and help make sure they are cared for by guiding change and supporting better standards of management (see landscape character assessment);
• promote debate about what Scotland’s landscapes should look like in future, and improve our understanding of people’s views about landscapes;
• care for existing National Scenic Areas, investigate the potential for new NSAs and develop a fresh approach to local landscape designations;
• encourage better recognition for the distinctive wild qualities of some areas, as set out in our policy Wildness in the Scottish Countryside;
• help to regenerate landscapes that have deteriorated as a result of human activities, and damaged environments close to where people live; and
• work with farmers and other land managers to look after the beauty and wildlife of the countryside.

In 2006, we established the Scottish Landscape Forum, a group of bodies with a common interest in Scotland’s landscapes. Its initial work has focused on the implications of the UK signing the European Landscape Convention, and has proposed to Ministers a set of actions for enhancing care of this ‘national treasure’.

For further information contact Simon.Brooks@snh.gov.uk
01463 725315

Greening

Given our role in encouraging sustainable development and safeguarding the natural heritage in Scotland, it’s very important that we set a good example in making sustainable use of resources.

How we do this is set out in our Environmental Management Programme. Key actions in the programme include:

• reducing our use of energy and installing renewable energy systems wherever possible;
• reusing and recycling waste whenever possible and buying recycled products;
• not using any peat-based products and increasing biodiversity on our properties;
• taking environmental factors into account when awarding contracts;
• encouraging car sharing, the use of public transport and video-conferencing;
• setting local targets for each office and reporting on progress annually;
• making sure that any new offices meet best practice in sustainable building – our new corporate office in Inverness, Great Glen House, has achieved the highest ever rating for a building in the UK in an independent review that measures the environmental quality of new buildings.

For further information contact Sheila.Currie@snh.gov.uk
01463 725073