Scottish Rewilding Alliance Proposes Nature Recovery Plan

The Scottish Rewilding Alliance has presented a pathway to the Scottish Government, proposing that Scotland become the world's first Rewilding Nation by committing to nature recovery across 30% of its land and seas. This coalition of over 20 organizations emphasizes the need for government leadership to restore habitats such as peatlands, woodlands, and wetlands, while still benefiting productive farmland. Currently, only 2.1% of Scotland's land is undergoing rewilding, with 150 projects covering approximately 160,000 hectares, highlighting the necessity for significant scaling to meet the ambitious target. Minister for Climate Action, Dr. Alasdair Allan, recognized the urgency of addressing biodiversity loss, as one in nine species in Scotland face extinction. The proposal aims to establish protected landscapes with a focus on nature recovery, which could help tackle climate change and provide local communities with health, jobs, and sustainable food production. The alliance argues that declaring Scotland a rewilding nation would be a powerful statement of intent and demonstrate global leadership in nature restoration.