The Flow Country in Sutherland and Caithness has been granted World Heritage Status by UNESCO's World Heritage Committee at a recent meeting in Delhi.
The bid lead for the Flow Country World Heritage project, Graham Neville (NatureScot) stated of this award:
"World Heritage Site status will lead to greater understanding of the Flow Country and raise the profile of Scotland's peatlands globally for their value as biodiverse habitats and important carbon sinks. It is wonderful recognition of the expert stewardship of farmers and crofters in maintaining this incredible ecosystem as a natural legacy for future generations."
The image illustrates blanket bog restoration work in progress but a group of companies and charities has written to the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) to say that decisions are holding back the flow of private finance. The claim is that SBTi does not recognise peatland restoration as a legitimate means of offsetting greenhouse gas emissions.
SBTi responded by stating its main aim is to encourage companies to avoid and reduce greenhouse gases in the first place and commented "We strongly encourage and enable companies to restore natural ecosystems including peatlands"
Health and social care professionals including GPs can now prescribe nature-based activities to patients via the Cairngorm National Park´s prescription project; this is part of the Cairngorm 2030 programme (Heritage Fund-backed).
Connecting with nature through a nature prescription is tailored to the individual and can include a physical activity outdoors, learning a new outdoors skill and joining a nature group.
People can be referred through GP surgeries in Grantown-on-Spey, Aviemore, Kingussie and Laggan. Self-referrals can be made. Once referrals are made, people are put in touch with one of the Park's qualified Green Health Link Workers.
Previous trials of nature prescriptions in Scotland demonstrated their effectiveness, with 71% of patients saying they had benefitted and 91% of prescribing professionals saying they would continue to offer nature prescriptions.
© Nevis Nature network
The Nevis Landscape Partnership, a community partnership, has secured over £80,000 from the Scottish Govt´s Nature Restoration Fund to help restore parts of Ben Nevis and Glen Nevis damaged by visitors to the range. The Nevis Landscape Partnership is working with four landowners to develop a plan to address the biggest challenges in the area - restoring ancient woodlands; invasive non-native plants and degraded footpaths on designated habitats.
The Cairngorm National Park has started work on the next Development Plan and this will replace the existing plan and sit alongside the National Planning Framework 4. It will set out plans and proposals for the use of land across the area of the National Park. It is launching a series of surveys to collect the views of the people who live and work in the National Park https://cairngormsldp.commonplace.is/
The John Muir Trust has submitted a petition to the Scottish Govt. calling for the implementation of a Carbon Emissions Land Tax on land holdings over one thousand hectares. This petition is supported by 31 organisations including churches, trade unions, community groups and businesses representing over a million members. The John Muir Trust stated:
"The Carbon Land Tax we are proposing is based on the polluters pay principle. Incentives are available to landowners for woodland creation and peatland restoration, but the slow process of change shows that we need sticks as well as carrots. The John Muir Trust has conducted serious research - including discussions with scientists, economists, tax experts - to show how this could work in practice. We are flexible about the detail, and are seeking support around the general principle."
The Scottish Govt. has indicated it is willing to be transparent about its communications with the John Muir Trust on this proposal and details of this exchange are on-line.
Galloway has been chosen as the preferred site of the next National Park. The region was selected by the Scottish Govt. from a five-strong shortlist following a review of the criteria. National park status means that the area will be set aside for protection of the natural environment, ensuring that most of the landscapes and accompanying plants and animals are kept in their natural state, and their special qualities safeguarded.
NatureScot are now tasked with organising a region-wide consultation with local people and then submit a report to the Scottish Parliament by April 2025 for review and a final decision. They have previously published a report on the benefits that a National Park can bring.
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