Scottish Environment LINK

A big thanks to Talat Yaqoob @talatyaqoob.bsky.social for her exceptional chairing!

A big thanks to the party representatives who participated:
- Caitlin Stott, Scottish Labour Party
- Douglas Lumsden MSP, Scottish Conservatives
- Gillian Martin MSP, Scottish National Party (SNP)
- Helen McDade, Reform UK
- Mark Ruskell MSP, Scottish Green Party

This week LINK co-hosted Scotland’s Big Nature & Climate Debate. 400+ joined and 140+ great questions were submitted!

Thanks to all who took part in this vital pre-election hustings, addressing nature, climate, food, energy, and community protection.

Watch here: www.youtube.com/live/psaAR61...

Climate advisors warn the Scottish government lacks a credible plan to cut farming emissions. Agriculture is a major driver of climate change, and farmers and crofters need real support and funding to shift to sustainable practices.

Read more: www.scotlink.org/scotland-mus...

#climateactionscot

This week’s Nature Spotlight is on the Azure Hawker Dragonfly, championed by Evelyn Tweed MSP and the British Dragonfly Society. Tiny but mighty, these dragonflies face threats from climate change & habitat loss. Conservation efforts focus on surveys, habitat care & community awareness.

Final online tickets available for tonight’s debate.
Note change of start time - now 7pm.
If attending in person, please arrive at 6.30pm.

Image showing a Humpback whale and a Blue whale, with the headline “Nature Spotlight,” highlighting the importance of whale conservation in Scotland’s waters.

Orange background featuring detailed illustrations of four whale species native to Scottish seas. Headline: Did you know you can find all of these whales in different parts of Scotland? Sei whale (Balaenoptera borealis): Adults can reach up to 19.5 meters in length. This species is championed by Nature Champion Kevin Stewart MSP. Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata): Typically 7 to 9 meters long. Championing this species is Nature Champion Jeremy Balfour MSP. Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae): Adults grow between 14 and 17 meters. This whale is championed by Nature Champion Jamie Greene MSP. Blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus): The largest whale species, reaching up to 33 meters. Nature Champion Kenneth Gibson MSP advocates for its protection.

Blue background with text detailing urgent actions needed to protect whales: Reduce marine litter and underwater noise pollution to create safer habitats. Advocate for measures to prevent whale entanglements in fishing ropes and lines. Support long-term monitoring and research aligned with the Habitats Directive Article 11 to provide robust data for conservation and management. Promote the designation of offshore Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and ensure whale species protection is integrated into management plans. Ensure the full implementation of the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy to safeguard marine biodiversity.

In honour of Whale Day we spotlight Scotland’s whales championed by MSPs and supported by @whalesorg.bsky.social & Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust. These giants face threats from pollution and entanglement. Conservation efforts focus on protection, research, and marine reserves. 🐋
#NatureChampions

Four people standing in front of the Scottish parliament building, wearing puffin, wildcat, red squirrel and bumblebee costumes and holding signs reading 'protect our home', 'nature targets now' and 'restore nature'. The person in the bumblebee costume is jumping into the air.

With the passage of the #NaturalEnvironmentBill, which requires government ministers to set legally binding nature recovery targets, the #ScotlandLovesNature campaign has achieved its main aim!

Here's a look back at the highlights of this campaign.

www.scotlandlovesnature.scot/how-we-won-t...

Colourful poster titled 'Scotland’s Big Climate and Nature Debate: Election Hustings' taking place on 24th February from 6 to 8 pm. Event available in Edinburgh at Augustine United Church, George IV Bridge, or online. Logos of partner organisations featured: Our Seas Coalition, Stop Climate Chaos Scotland, Scottish Environment LINK, Scottish Food Coalition, and Scottish Rewilding Alliance.

Make your voice heard on the issues that matter to you at Scotland’s Big Climate and Nature Debate on Tuesday 24 February, 6-8pm.

Leading representatives of Scotland's political parties will be on the panel.

Sign up! shorturl.at/fBS0o
#ScottishClimateandNatureDebate2026 #ElectionHustings

Last night, cross-party MSPs took part in a debate recognising the species and habitats that they champion in Parliament. 🏆

Listen to the full debate to hear why thriving road verges can be just as important as Scotland's more charismatic flora and fauna!

www.scottishparliament.tv/meeting/memb...

Image of a herring gull, an oak leaf, a red squirrel, a dolphin, a humpback whale and a bumblebee on an orange background with speech bubbles saying "Nature Champions Debate!".

📣 Nature Champions Debate! 📣

MSPs will raise awareness of some of Scotland's extraordinary species & habitats this evening as part of a Nature Champions debate! 🌳

Tune in from 5.10pm! www.scottishparliament.tv

Read the Motion: www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/votes-and-motions/S6M-20338

A photo of a tree with a twisted trunk, with a wooded valley in the background.

The Natural Environment Act marks a significant shift: nature recovery is no longer just a policy aspiration but a legal responsibility.

But passing legislation is not the same as restoring nature.

Read our analysis of what needs to happen next:

www.scotlink.org/a-landmark-m...

📷Morag Wells

Image showing Freshwater Pearl Mussels with the headline “Nature Spotlight.” Next to it is a photo of Nature Champion Audrey Nicoll MSP, highlighting her commitment to protecting this species.

Orange background with an illustration of a Freshwater Pearl Mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera), marked with the IUCN Red List’s Critically Endangered symbol, indicating the species faces an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. Text explains: These mussels can live up to 100 years and filter up to 50 litres of water daily, significantly improving water quality for otters, fish, eels, and other aquatic life. Habitat: They thrive in clean, low-nutrient, fast-flowing rivers with coarse sand or gravel beds. Main Threats: Pollution affecting water quality, changes to river structure that hinder population recovery, and over-harvesting of mussels.

List of conservation actions to protect Freshwater Pearl Mussels: Control illegal pearl fishing, encouraging public reporting of incidents, implement broader conservation and restoration of clean, fast-flowing rivers and their ecosystems, support ongoing captive breeding programs to boost populations, and ensure full implementation of the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy to safeguard habitats and species.

Nature Spotlight on the Freshwater Pearl Mussel, championed by @audreynicollsnp.bsky.social + Buglife. These critically endangered mussels live up to 100 years and filter 50L of water daily. Conservation focuses on protection and habitat restoration. #NatureChampions

Poll Position - Stop Climate Chaos Scotland Now is the time to push politicians for strong and swift climate action that will bring a safer, cleaner, healthier and fairer way of life for all Scots – and recent surveys show that’s what most peop...

Most people DO care about climate change and want action to tackle it, surveys show.
As Scotland gets ready for the election in May, politicians from all parties should take note of the findings.

SCCS's latest blog shares a few insights:

www.stopclimatechaos.scot/poll-position/

Colourful poster titled 'Scotland’s Big Climate and Nature Debate: Election Hustings' taking place on 24th February from 6 to 8 pm. Event available in Edinburgh at Augustine United Church, George IV Bridge, or online. Logos of partner organisations featured: Our Seas Coalition, Stop Climate Chaos Scotland, Scottish Environment LINK, Scottish Food Coalition, and Scottish Rewilding Alliance.

Join Scotland’s Big Climate and Nature Debate on Tues 24 Feb 6-8pm to discuss some of the world’s most pressing concerns with representatives of political parties ahead of the Scottish Elections. Online and in person!
Sign up! shorturl.at/fBS0o
#ScottishClimateandNatureDebate2026 #ElectionHustings

A collage featuring vibrant butterflies, busy bees, and colorful wildflowers under the headline “Nature Spotlight”, followed by the subtitle “Road Verges and the Wee Critters Within.” The slide also includes a photo of Nature Champion Mercedes Villalba MSP, highlighting her involvement in the initiative.

Images of lush grass, a hedgehog, and a badger accompany the headline “Why are road verges so important for biodiversity?” The text explains that the wild plant conservation group Plantlife estimates over 700 wild plant species thrive on Scottish road verges. These verges serve as vital foraging, resting, and crossing habitats for diverse wildlife, including invertebrates, birds, and small mammals like hedgehogs. Main Threats listed: Safety and access priorities Budget constraints and low emphasis on enhancing wildlife value Preference for tidy, “neat” roadside appearance Persistent nitrogen pollution

Headline: “Actions needed to protect road verges” The text outlines key steps: promoting improved management guidelines, encouraging local authorities to adopt wildlife-friendly maintenance practices, introducing legally binding targets to reduce nitrogen oxide pollution, and developing a coordinated Scottish Nature Network to strategically support species and habitats.

In honour of #NationalHedgehogDay we’re spotlighting the vital role of road verges for hedgehogs and other wildlife. These wild habitats, championed by Mercedes Villalba MSP & Plantlife, provide safe spaces to forage and buffer pollution. Protect our verges to help Scotland’s wee critters thrive! 🦔

A vibrant poster with a green background showing a red squirrel, Scottish wildcat, and puffin wearing party hats. They are surrounded by green and pink confetti, streamers, and balloons holding up a banner that reads: “MSPs voted to pass the Natural Environment Bill! Scotland WILL have legally binding nature recovery targets.

Big win for Scotland’s nature! The Natural Environment Bill passed by MSPs will bring in legally binding targets to restore wildlife and habitats. Huge thanks to LINK’s members and supporters who helped make this happen! Let’s keep pushing for strong action and funding to restore Scotland’s nature.

New research by @froglife.bsky.social and others using volunteer data shows common toads have declined by 41% in Britain over 40 years.

Toad Patrols save lives and provide vital conservation data.
Get involved this spring: www.froglife.org/tormap

#ToadsOnRoads2026

@estherebrooker.bsky.social

Today LINK’s Esther Brooker gave evidence on Clyde cod protection, urging a holistic, ecosystem-based approach: precautionary closures, bycatch reduction, seabed monitoring, collaboration with local fishers, and aligned fisheries management for resilient ecosystems and sustainable communities. 🐟

Group smiling and holding up their signs and bird puppets outside Scottish Parliament

Close up of sign which reads 'Swifties for Swift Bricks!' with a picture of Taylor Swift

Three members of RSPB staff stand together smiling holding a Curlew puppet, a Puffin puppet and a Swift puppet

Swift puppet next to Scottish parliament entrance

Today we raised our voices outside Scottish Parliament in one last push to ensure politicians stand up for Scotland's nature.

The Natural Environment Bill could be a game-changer - introducing nature targets and Swift bricks. The final debate starts today, we hope to see major wins for wildlife.

Picture of a red squirrel eating with the headline “Nature Spotlight.” The red squirrel, known as ‘Feòrag Ruadh’ in Gaelic, is featured alongside an image of Nature Champion Alexander Burnett MSP.

Orange background featuring illustrations of a red squirrel and oak tree leaves. Text explains that red squirrels live in nests called dreys, which they build themselves from moss, twigs, and grass, usually near tree trunks. Habitat: Typically found in coniferous forests, feeding mainly on pine cone seeds. Main Threats: Competition from invasive grey squirrels, squirrelpox virus, habitat fragmentation, and road traffic collisions. Conservation Status: Classified as ‘Least Concern’ by the IUCN Red List, meaning the species is not currently endangered but some populations may be declining and need monitoring.

List of conservation actions to protect red squirrels: Support the Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels partnership project. Back habitat restoration and grey squirrel control initiatives. Develop a coherent Scottish Nature Network to focus conservation efforts on key species and habitats. Ensure the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy addresses the main causes of decline identified by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES).

This week’s Nature Spotlight: the Red Squirrel, championed by Alexander Burnett MSP and The Scottish Wildlife Trust. Known as ‘Feòrag Ruadh,’ they live in conifer woods, building nests called dreys. Threats include grey squirrels & habitat loss. 🐿️🌲

#NatureChampions
@scotwildlife.bsky.social

On Jan 27, MSPs decide the fate of Scotland’s Natural Environment Bill. This is our chance for legally binding nature recovery targets. 🌍🌿🐾

MSPs can still strengthen or weaken it—we need bold action now!

Like & share to help restore Scotland’s nature! 📢
#NaturalEnvironmentBill

Discover how LINK’s Nature Champions initiative is gaining global attention at the World Economic Forum. 🌿🐾🌍
Read the full press release: www.scotlink.org/global-boost...

#worldeconomicforum #naturechampions #davos

two smiling people standing on a cliff with the sea in the background, holding signs saying 'Scotland loves nature'

Despite years of strategies, Scotland remains one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world. That’s why @scotlink.bsky.social is calling for legally binding nature recovery targets — putting people at the heart of change.
🔗 Click through to learn more and get involved. c-js.uk/48RCWvH

Orcas swimming underwater. The headline reads “Nature Spotlight – Orca,” with Gaelic names ‘cana’ and ‘mada-chuain’ displayed. The slide also features a photo of Nature Champion Beatrice Wishart MSP.

A graphic slide with blue bubbles and a close-up image of an orca’s head. Text explains that orcas (Orcinus orca), despite their nickname “Killer whale,” are actually the largest dolphins, with males reaching the size of four cars. Their habitat includes the North and West coasts of Scotland, especially around the Shetland and Orkney Islands. The slide highlights main threats: high contaminant levels affecting reproduction, reduced prey availability, and increased noise pollution. It also shows a symbol indicating that, according to the IUCN, Orcas are classified as a ‘Data Deficient’ species—meaning there is insufficient data to determine their population status, but this does not imply they are not threatened.

A text-focused slide listing actions to protect orcas: encouraging public involvement in Citizen Science for sightings data; advocating for funding of regular cetacean surveys; supporting the inclusion of orcas in Scottish Marine Protected Area management plans; and ensuring full implementation of the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy.

This week’s Nature Spotlight is on Orcas, championed by Beatrice Wishart MSP & Whale & Dolphin Conservation. 🐳🌊🐬
@beatricewishartmsp.bsky.social
@whalesorg.bsky.social

Orcas, or ‘killer whales’ are not whales at all but in fact the world’s largest dolphin! Let’s protect them & our seas

#orcas

Did you miss the Scottish Government’s 2026-2027 draft budget announcement yesterday? 💷🌱🌍

Here’s a quick rundown to catch you up on what spending currently looks like for nature and climate.

#scottishbudget #natureandclimate #scottishgovernment

@emmaroddicksnp.bsky.social @rspbscotland.bsky.social

Learn more about what LINK's Nature Champions are up to and what the project is all about!

www.scotlink.org/link-campaig...

@emmaroddicksnp.bsky.social
@rspbscotland.bsky.social