80% of Scots want more rewilding action from Scottish Government, polling shows - Trees for Life

New Programme for Government a key moment to prevent Scotland being “left behind” on nature recovery, says Alliance.

80% of Scots think the Scottish Government should have policies in place to support rewilding, shows polling carried out for the Scottish Rewilding Alliance.

But the coalition of more than 20 organisations is warning that despite overwhelming public opinion in favour of large-scale nature restoration, the Scottish Government and public bodies are being too slow to engage with the opportunities offered by rewilding.

There are also fears that the forthcoming Scottish Natural Environment Bill may be less ambitious than planned. Recent government decisions such as the reallocation of £5 million from the Nature Restoration Fund have caused dismay.

The Scottish Rewilding Alliance is calling on the Scottish Government to declare Scotland the world’s first Rewilding Nation, with nature recovery taking place across 30% of the country. The Alliance says the Programme for Government, due to be announced on 4 September, is a key opportunity to act.

“The Scottish Government has been moving far too slowly on addressing the country’s nature crisis through rewilding, and risks being left behind internationally,” said Steve Micklewright, Scottish Rewilding Alliance Convenor and Chief Executive of Trees for Life.

“It should seize the opportunity to declare Scotland the world’s first Rewilding Nation. Such ambition would offer hope for tackling the nature and climate emergencies, and create benefits for people and local communities on health, jobs, and sustainable food production.”