It could take seven decades before large-scale nature restoration is underway across 30% of Scotland’s land, new figures from the Scottish Rewilding Alliance show.
The coalition of more than 20 organisations calculates that rewilding across Scotland is now underway across 2.5% of the country’s land, with 195,615 hectares rewilding.
This is an increase of 32,985 hectares since the Alliance’s last assessment one year ago, which reported that 2.1% of Scotland's land was rewilding.
In line with global targets, the Scottish Government is committed to protect at least 30% of its land and sea for nature by 2030. But at current rates of increase, it will take 65 years before major nature restoration is underway across 30% of Scotland’s land.
Rewilding has been surging in recent years, and across Scotland there are now nearly 200 projects led by communities, charities, farmers, landowners, public bodies and others. But the Alliance says a significant increase in political support is now needed to reach the target.
Thousands of people across the country have backed the Alliance’s call for Scotland to be declared the world’s first Rewilding Nation, with nature recovery across 30% of its land and sea. This week the Scottish Rewilding Alliance is taking those voices to parliamentarians by speaking with MSPs at a dedicated display stand in the Scottish Parliament.
“Urgent political action is needed. Leaving it until 2090 before Scotland can benefit from nature recovery across 30% of its land is something we can’t afford,” said Steve Micklewright, Scottish Rewilding Alliance co-convenor and chief executive of Trees for Life. “Politicians from all parties need to step up. With political will, rewilding can help us tackle the nature and climate emergencies while benefiting health, jobs, sustainable food production and re-peopling, and ensuring clean air and water, and healthy rivers and seas.”
Rewilding 30% of Scotland can be achieved by restoring habitats including peatlands, native woodlands, wetlands, rivers and seas, while maintaining and benefitting productive farmland.
Posted On: 02/04/2025
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