Scotland Shows Progress in Rewilding Efforts, Launches Rewilding Nation Charter
Scotland is making strides in rewilding efforts, with more than 2% of its land now dedicated to this cause. This news comes from the Scottish Rewilding Alliance, which has also launched a Rewilding Nation Charter, calling for Scotland to declare itself the world’s first rewilding nation.
Despite this progress, Scotland still ranks as one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world. The Rewilding Nation Charter emphasizes the benefits of rewilding for restoring habitats and saving wildlife, and urges the Scottish Government to commit to nature recovery across 30% of land and sea.
To promote this campaign, the Alliance has produced a feature-length film called “Why Not Scotland?”, which explores the potential for larger scale rewilding in the country. The film will be shown nationwide at screenings in Oban, Peebles, Dundee, and Inverness, following its premiere in Edinburgh.
Steve Micklewright, Scottish Rewilding Alliance Convenor and Chief Executive of Trees for Life, states, “Climate breakdown and nature loss mean we face an unprecedented threat to our way of life and our children’s future. But it’s not too late. Scotland can lead the way as a Rewilding Nation to benefit nature, climate and people.”
The State of Nature 2023 report ranks Scotland 212 out of 240 countries and territories for the state of its nature, with 11% of its species facing extinction. The Alliance points to intensive agriculture and climate breakdown as the biggest threats to biodiversity, along with non-native forestry, pollution, and introduced species.
These factors not only harm the environment, but also impact access to food, fresh water, and clean air, and hinder efforts to combat climate change. The Scottish Rewilding Alliance, a coalition of more than 20 organizations, believes that rewilding can help address these issues while also creating jobs and economic opportunities.
According to the Alliance, 2.1% of Scotland’s land is now dedicated to rewilding, with over 150 projects covering 160,000 hectares. This includes members of Rewilding Britain’s UK-wide Rewilding Network and the Scotland-wide Northwoods Rewilding Network, led by SCOTLAND: The Big Picture.
The goal of rewilding 30% of Scotland’s land can be achieved by restoring wild habitats such as peatlands, native woodlands, wetlands, rivers, and seas, without sacrificing productive farmland. The Alliance also stresses the importance of nature-led farming, fishing, and forestry in this effort.
The Why Not Scotland? film, produced by SCOTLAND: The Big Picture, follows Flo Blackbourn, a young Scot from Glasgow, on a journey to explore inspiring examples of major nature recovery in Europe. “My journey to see how rewilding can help nature and people thrive together was life-changing and such a source of hope,” says Flo (27). “Like many young people, I’m worried about the uncertain future we all face with climate breakdown and nature loss – but life can bounce back if we give it a chance, and work with nature instead of against it.”
Tom Bowser, farmer and owner of Argaty Red Kites in Perthshire, and Alliance member, adds, “The nature and climate crises can feel overwhelming, but we can all make a difference by uniting behind a clear message. We’re calling on everyone who shares our hopes and sense of urgency to sign the Rewilding Nation Charter to help create a greener, fairer country.”
For more information, visit www.rewild.scot.
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