by Holly Chapman | 03 Oct 25 | Nature & Biodiversity, News
More than 100 people have gathered outside of Scottish Parliament in an effort to push forward the Rewilding Nation campaign led by Scottish Rewilding Alliance.
Most recently backed by actor Alan Cumming, the campaign calls on the government to commit to rewilding 30% of the country’s land and seas as set out in its Pathway to a Rewilding Nation report.
Holding ‘stop’ and ‘go’ signs signalling the barriers holding back rewilding, the campaigners who gathered outside Holyrood are the first ever to take their message directly to Scotland’s politicians.
Karen Blackport, co-convenor of the Scottish Rewilding Alliance says “Scotland has the choice and opportunity to lead the way in turning the nature crisis around,” adding:
“We want to see these issues debated and discussed openly by all political parties in the run-up to the Scottish elections next May.”
Rewilding 30% of Scotland can be achieved by restoring habitats including peatlands, native woodlands, wetlands, rivers and seas, while maintaining and benefiting productive farmland, explains the Alliance.
Credit: Colin Hattersley
by Holly Chapman | 25 Sep 25 | Nature & Biodiversity, News
Scottish theatre and movie actor Alan Cumming has spoken about why he supports the campaign calling on the Scottish government to declare Scotland the world’s first Rewilding Nation as well as committing to rewilding 30% of the country’s land and seas.
“Scotland could have more forests, healthier seas and lusher wildlife. Rewilding is how we can make that happen,” explains Cumming.
The Traitors actor has made his opinions clear as more than 100 people from across Scotland are set to gather outside the Scottish parliament on 1 October to draw attention to the barriers holding back rewilding.
The Scottish Rewilding Alliance agrees and comments:
“Rewilding 30% of Scotland can be achieved by restoring habitats including peatlands, native woodlands, wetlands, rivers and seas, while maintaining and benefiting productive farmland.”
Declaring Scotland a Rewilding Nation would lead to a meaningful action with ministers committing to restoring the natural environment through legislation and funding to enable rewilding and empower local communities, according to the Alliance.
Proposals from the Alliance include making nature recovery the primary purpose of protected landscapes and seascapes, establishing wild zones around rivers and coastlines and doubling woodland cover.
Click here for more information on the event outside the Scottish parliament.
by Holly Chapman | 03 Apr 25 | Nature & Biodiversity, News
In need of “urgent political action”, Scottish Rewilding Alliance urges the Scottish government to back rewilding plans by naming the country as the first Rewilding Nation.
The Scottish government has committed to protect 30% of its land and sea by 2030. According to current rates of increase, recent Scottish Rewilding Alliance figures show it could take up to 65 years to reach this goal.
The Alliance says there is a significant need for political support to reach their original goal.
Alliance co-convenor and chief executive of Trees for Life, Steve Micklewright says they can’t afford to wait until 2090, adding:
“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.”
Polling shows that 80% of Scots think their government should have policies in place to support the restoration and rewilding goals.
The figures also show that only 1% of Scotland’s sea is seen in rewilding projects, with government ‘delays’ hindering effective Marine Protected Areas.
Karen Blackport, the Alliance’s co-convenor and chief executive of Bright Green Nature comments:
“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 has been signed by thousands of people, including big names such as Leonardo DiCaprio and Brian Cox.
MSPs are invited to also sign the charter this week in the Scottish parliament.
by Aidan Williams | 03 Sep 24 | Nature & Biodiversity, News
Polling carried out for the Scottish Rewilding Alliance (SRA) shows that 80% of Scots think the Scottish Government should have policies in place to support rewilding.
The SRA, a coalition of more than 20 organisations, is warning that despite overwhelming public opinion in favour of large-scale nature restoration, the Scottish Government and public bodies are being too slow to engage with the opportunities offered by rewilding.
There are also fears that the forthcoming Scottish Natural Environment Bill may be less ambitious than planned, as recent government decisions such as the reallocation of £5 million from the Nature Restoration Fund have caused dismay.
Steve Micklewright, Scottish Rewilding Alliance convenor and chief executive of trees for life, says: “The Scottish Government has been moving far too slowly on addressing the country’s nature crisis through rewilding, and risks being left behind internationally.
“It should seize the opportunity to declare Scotland the world’s first rewilding nation.
“Such ambition would offer hope for tackling the nature and climate emergencies, and create benefits for people and local communities on health, jobs, and sustainable food production.”
With nature recovery taking place across 30% of the country the SRA says the Programme for Government, due to be announced on Wednesday, is a key opportunity to act.
The Alliance say that while some public bodies now mention rewilding in their plans or are increasingly taking action to support rewilding, this is not widespread or clearly set out.
Rewilding is not yet included in the Government’s key policies and frameworks, such as the planning framework, net zero plan, and biodiversity strategy.
Research shows that Scotland is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world, with intensive agriculture and climate breakdown are having the biggest impacts on habitats and wildlife.
Currently less than 3% of Scotland’s land and less than 1% of its seas are rewilding, according to analysis carried out by the Scottish Rewilding Alliance.
Rewilding 30% of Scotland can be achieved by restoring habitats including peatlands, native woodlands, wetlands, rivers and seas, while maintaining and benefitting productive farmland, it says.
The Rewilding Nation Charter, calling on the Government to declare Scotland a rewilding nation, has already been signed by thousands of people.
