More than 100 people, representing individuals, charities and community groups, gathered outside the Scottish Parliament
Campaigners calling for Scotland to become the world’s first Rewilding Nation have taken their message to the country’s politicians, in a colourful stunt outside Holyrood.
More than 100 people – representing thousands of individuals, charities, community groups and businesses from across Scotland – gathered outside the Scottish Parliament, with a visual display of ‘stop’ and ‘go’ signs exposing the barriers holding back rewilding and spotlighting the readily available solutions.
It follows public backing last week by acclaimed Scottish theatre and movie actor Alan Cumming, who became the latest celebrity to back the campaign.
The Rewilding Nation campaign led by the Scottish Rewilding Alliance is calling on the Scottish government to commit to rewilding 30% of the country’s land and seas. The alliance’s Pathway to a Rewilding Nation sets out practical steps the government can take to make this happen.
This is the first time rewilding campaigners have taken their message directly to Scotland’s politicians in this way.
Rewilding is the large-scale restoration of nature to a state where it can look after itself, focusing on restoring natural processes and, where appropriate, reintroducing missing species.
The movement has been surging in recent years, with nearly 200 projects across Scotland led by communities, charities, farmers, landowners and others. But the alliance says it’s now time for politicians to step up too – including by making significant commitments to large-scale nature restoration in the run-up to the Scottish elections next May.
Scotland is one of the world’s most nature-depleted countries. Although the Scottish government is committed to protect at least 30% of land and sea for nature by 2030, just 2.5% of Scotland’s land is currently rewilding – with the rate of increase meaning it will take 65 years before major nature restoration is underway across 30% of the country.
Karen Blackport, co-convenor of the Scottish Rewilding Alliance and chief executive of charity Bright Green Nature, said: “Rewilding is about hope for tackling the nature and climate emergencies, and brings with it a wealth of benefits, including jobs, clean air and water, and improved health.
“Polling shows 80% of Scots think the Scottish government should have policies in place to support rewilding – yet again and again, we are met by silence, foot-dragging or excuses when it comes to protecting and restoring nature in a major way.
“Scotland has the choice and opportunity to lead the way in turning the nature crisis around. 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, says the alliance.
The campaign has also received public backing from Scottish actor Brian Cox, Scottish musician Nathan Evans, Hollywood A-lister Leonardo DiCaprio, and activists Laura Young (Less Waste Laura) and Somhairle.
For information on the Pathway to a Rewilding Nation, visit www.rewild.scot/pathway-to-a-rewilding-nation.
