New law says large landowners need to set out biodiversity plans, in ‘big step towards a Rewilding Nation’

MSPs in the Scottish Parliament have voted this week to create a law obliging owners of large landholdings to publish plans on how they will increase biodiversity, as part of the new Land Reform Bill, in what the Scottish Rewilding Alliance says is a ‘big step towards a Rewilding Nation’.

The Scottish Rewilding Alliance has campaigned for the change as part of its Rewilding Nation campaign, supported by thousands of people across Scotland.

The new law will require landowners of landholdings over 1,000 hectares to set out how they are boosting biodiversity, as well as adapting to climate breakdown.

They will also have to lay out how they are complying with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, complying with the code of practice on deer management, and contributing towards net-zero emissions.

While many responsible landowners will already be taking steps to restore nature and ensure ecosystem health, all large landowners will now have a legal duty to consult on and publish land management plans, once the Scottish Government has put the required regulations in place.

The Alliance says Scotland’s largest landholdings have a pivotal role to play in repairing Scotland’s biodiversity, mitigating against the effects of climate breakdown and enabling Scotland to adapt to a changing climate.

Steve Micklewright, co-convenor of the Scottish Rewilding Alliance, and chief executive of Trees for Life which owns the 4,000-hectare Dudreggan estate near Loch Ness, told That's Green: “This new law represents a big step towards Scotland becoming the world’s first Rewilding Nation.

“How land is managed is a key part of tackling climate breakdown and reversing biodiversity loss – and in Scotland, where land ownership is highly concentrated, large landholdings have a key role in repairing Scotland’s ecosystems.

“Ensuring large estates set out their plans to restore nature is vital. Rewilding – large-scale restoration of ecosystems and natural processes – offers hope for tackling the nature and climate emergencies, and creates a cascade of benefits for people.”

There are 1,810 landholdings in Scotland over 1,000 hectares. Some landholdings are already restoring nature at scale, but currently the lack of land management plans laying this out makes data collection difficult.

The successful change to the bill was proposed in Parliament by Ariane Burgess, Scottish Greens MSP for the Highlands and Islands. The change received cross-party support.

While celebrating the success, the Scottish Rewilding Alliance says that with Scotland being one of the world’s most nature-depleted countries in the world, the Scottish Government needs to be more ambitious going forwards. This includes putting in place support and funding to enable large landowners to restore biodiversity and take upscaled action to ensure ecosystem health.

Although the Scottish government is committed to protecting at least 30% of land and sea for nature by 2030, just 2.5% of Scotland’s land is currently rewilding, with current rates of increase meaning it will take 65 years before major nature restoration is underway across 30% of the country.

Rewilding is the large-scale restoration of nature to a state where it can look after itself and people, focusing on restoring natural processes and, where appropriate, reintroducing missing species.

The Scottish Rewilding Alliance is calling on the Scottish Government to declare Scotland the world’s first Rewilding Nation, bringing in bold legislation to support rewilding. Polling has shown this is supported by over 80% of the Scottish public.

The Alliance’s Pathway to a Rewilding Nation lays out a clear vision for a wilder, fairer future for Scotland. Political parties are being asked by rewilding campaigners across the country to put rewilding in their manifestos ahead of the 2026 elections.

The Rewilding Nation campaign has been backed by thousands of people from all walks of life across Scotland. It has received public backing from Scottish actors Brian Cox and Alan Cumming, Scottish musician Nathan Evans, Hollywood A-lister Leonardo DiCaprio, and activists Laura Young (Less Waste Laura) and Somhairle.

Dam Good News? Beavers released in Glen Affric 400 years after extinction in Scotland

A family of five beavers and a beaver pair have been released at two sites on Loch Beinn a Mheadhoin in the Glen Affric National Nature Reserve in the northwest Highlands of Scotland,

The beavers were relocated under licence from agricultural land in Tayside to an area where their natural behaviours are expected to positively benefit both the landscape and biodiversity.

Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS), which manages the 17,604-hectare NNR, has been working in partnership with Trees for Life on the initiative since 2022, supported by Beaver Trust. The project has included three phases of extensive consultations with local communities and land managers.

FLS North Region Manager, Alex Mcleod, told That's Green: “Beavers being translocated to Glen Affric is the culmination of a long, exacting and thorough process for FLS and Trees for Life. Fully engaging with the local Affric communities, including through a detailed consultation process, has been crucial in making sure all voices were heard.

“This high degree of local consultation has helped put in place processes to discuss any necessary mitigation, and to address concerns raised by those not in favour of beaver introductions. We are establishing a group to oversee ongoing monitoring to inform management decisions in the months and years to come, I would hope the beavers eventually become an integral and unremarked part of Glen Affric.”

Steve Micklewright, Trees for Life’s Chief Executive, said: “As we saw the beavers released into the loch, we were watching a moment of wildlife history, offering hope for tackling the nature and climate emergencies, and a better future for biodiversity and people.

“We’re proud to have worked with FLS on this community-focused initiative. FLS has undertaken vital habitat restoration work in Glen Affric over many years and shown real leadership in nature restoration by reintroducing this important habitat-creating, biodiversity-boosting, flood-preventing animal.”

NatureScot granted a licence in August for the release of four family groups of beavers to the waters above Beinn a Mheadhoin dam, following an application by FLS last December. The first two releases, of the beaver pair followed by the family of five, took place on 24 October.

Beavers create wetlands that benefit other wildlife, purify water and reduce flooding. The animals can bring economic benefits to communities through eco-tourism.

Sometimes the species can also create localised problems. The Glen Affric project partners have put in place measures to address these quickly should they emerge.

FLS is establishing a Beaver Community Mitigation and Monitoring Group as a community and visitor liaison focal point, where developments can be monitored, aired and addressed. The Group, which also involves NatureScot, will also look at developing educational opportunities with local schools, the wider community and visitors to the area.

Trees for Life’s dedicated Beaver Management Officer, Tobias Leask, will be engaging with the whole community, offering practical support to ensure local people can enjoy and benefit from the return of the beavers through a well-managed process.

The translocation to Glen Affric was carried out by Dr Roisin Campbell-Palmer, Head of Restoration at Beaver Trust, who said: “Beavers are a powerful ally in turning the biodiversity crisis around, and we’re delighted to have carried out this important reintroduction to one of Scotland’s most famous glens.

“Each new catchment we restore beavers to brings Scotland closer to its 2045 goal of a nature-rich, resilient future. Responsible, well-considered translocations like this are helping re-establish a healthy, connected beaver population across the country.”

Prior to their release in Glen Affric, the beavers were housed at a specialised beaver holding and quarantine facility at Five Sisters Zoo for health checks.

Local resident Malcolm Wield said: “Beavers benefit a wide range of different species including trees, plants, invertebrates, amphibians, fish, other mammals, and birds. This is a good result for us, our children, our grandchildren, and future generations. Congratulations to all involved.”

The reintroduction helps to deliver Scotland’s national beaver strategy, and a Scottish Government directive calling on public agencies to seek reintroduction of the species on state-owned land out of existing beaver range.

Once widespread in Scotland, the Eurasian beaver was hunted to extinction for its pelt, meat and musk oil. Records indicate beavers may have survived in small numbers until the 16th century. Beavers are a protected native species, first reintroduced to Scotland in 2009.

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Live Green launches, making sustainable living simpler for UK homes

Live Green officially announces the launch of its new website and sustainable living hub, bringing together expert-curated eco-friendly product recommendations, a comprehensive eBook and paperback, practical online training, and free resources to empower UK households to make greener choices, all in one accessible platform.

As part of the launch, everyone who subscribes to the Live Green mailing list will receive a free downloadable sustainability checklist for the home, making it easier to get started with practical, effective eco-improvements.

The "Sustainable Living Made Simple" eBook, normally priced at £6.99, is available for just £3.99 for a limited launch period, while Live Green’s new comprehensive online course is also reduced by 30%, making expert guidance and step-by-step support even more accessible.

Live Green’s launch delivers the UK’s most practical eco-home advice, trusted product picks, and actionable tools for every household ready to embrace a smarter, healthier, more sustainable lifestyle. Additional courses and books will follow in the coming weeks.

https://www.livegreen.club

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First-Ever Socorro Dove Chick Hatches at Whipsnade Zoo

Father and Son Socorro Doves

A type of bird that is reportedly extinct in nature, the Socorro dove, has hatched at Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire - the first time the conservation zoo has bred this species. 

The precious little hatchling, which emerged from its egg in late August, marks a hopeful milestone in the global mission to bring the species back from the brink of extinction.

The chick's parents, who arrived from London Zoo in June, are part of an important international conservation breeding programme which is boosting the numbers of the rare birds so they can be reintroduced to their native habitat on Socorro Island, off the coast of Mexico.

With approximately 209 Socorro doves left in the entire world, cared for by fewer than 50 conservation institutions, the arrival of the chick is a significant boost - and along with nine others hatched at Whipsnade's sister-site London Zoo, the Socorro chicks cared for at the two ZSL zoos account for almost 5% of the species' entire population.

Gary Ward, ZSL's curator of birds, told That's Green: "To welcome the very first Socorro dove chick at Whipsnade Zoo is an incredible moment for us, but more importantly, it's a step forward for the survival of a species that would have otherwise been lost forever.

"These birds sadly only exist in human care, meaning that those of us looking after them in zoos are uniquely placed to protect the species, and return them to their native habitat in the not-too-distant future."

Socorro doves once lived in the dense woodlands of Socorro Island, but were declared Extinct-in-the-Wild in 1972, after severe habitat loss caused by deforestation combined with the introduction of non-native predators, sadly, decimated their numbers.

Whipsnade Zoo's tiny chick represents an important milestone for the Socorro Dove Project, an international initiative working to reintroduce this Extinct-in-the-Wild species to Mexico's Socorro Island. The project is a collaboration between ZSL (the conservation charity behind Whipsnade Zoo), key partners in Mexico, Frankfurt Zoo, African Safari, and other zoos within the EAZA (European Association of Zoos and Aquariums) and AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) networks, dedicated to safeguarding the species.

Gary added: "As a world leader in caring for and reintroducing Extinct-in-the-Wild species, and as a driving force in the IUCN SSC Extinct-in-the-Wild Action Partnership, ZSL is leading the recovery of the world's most threatened species - each Socorro dove hatchling is a genuine boost for this work and the Socorro Dove Project."

ZSL has previously helped to recover an Extinct-in-the-Wild bird species - the Sihek - after helping to hand-rear hatchlings of the kingfisher for release onto Palmyra Atoll, marking the first time the birds had been living in the wild for 40 years.

Tim Savage, manager of the bird team at Whipsnade Zoo, said: "Our Socorro dove chick is doing well and growing quickly. It's already taken the first step towards independence by fledging the nest - but will still be reliant on mum and dad for food.

"Dad has been doing the majority of parenting, keeping the chick company, feeding it, and encouraging it to forage for its own food too."

Every visit to Whipsnade Zoo supports ZSL's vital work to protect species and restore habitats across the globe. Find out more Whipsnade Zoo https://www.whipsnadezoo.org.

Learn more about the vital work of ZSL here https://www.zsl.org