Protect Nature

Today is Na tu ra 2000 Day, which celebrates the Europe-wide network of protected areas made possible by EU nature laws and funding. Scotland has 394 of these special Na tu ra 2000 sites, from the St Kilda archipelago in the Outer Hebrides to the River Tweed in the Borders.

They protect some of our most important and bestloved Scottish wildlife, including golden eagles, capercaillies, bottlenose dolphins and otters, as well as vital habitats such as our Caledonian pine woods and carbon-rich peatlands.

As B rex it looms, we risk losing both the protection afforded to so many of Scotland’s beautiful places, and the crucial EU funding that helps us care for and enhance them.

Thirty-seven charities, members of Scottish Environment LINK, are calling for a Scottish Environment Act to ensure that the Scottish Government can deliver its commitment to“maintain or exceed EU environmental protections”, and that these special places are safeguarded by strong laws and institutions long into the future.

CHARLES DUNDAS Chair, Scottish Environment

LINK, Marshall Place, Perth