Rewilding of the Highlands is supported by three quarters of population, says new research
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
More than three quarters of Highlanders support rewilding in Scotland, according to research conducted for the Scottish Rewilding Alliance, a coalition of more than 20 organisations.
The findings come as the Alliance launches a campaign calling on the Scottish Government to declare Scotland the world’s first Rewilding Nation, with a commitment to rewilding 30 per cent of the country’s land and sea within a decade, ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) to be held in Glasgow in November.
A new opinion poll shows that 76 per cent of Scots support rewilding – the large-scale restoration of nature to the point it’s allowed to take care of itself – with just seven per cent opposed.
The Rewilding Nation campaign kicks off today, February 17, with an inspiring new animation narrated by wildlife presenter and filmmaker Gordon Buchanan showing how rewilding can help make Scotland a place where nature recovers, wildlife flourishes and people prosper.
Steve Micklewright, convenor of the Scottish Rewilding Alliance and chief executive of Trees for Life said: “The world faces overlapping nature, climate and health crises, but Scotland has the opportunity to show bold leadership by becoming the world’s first Rewilding Nation. We have the space, political influence and public backing to become a world leader in saving nature and ourselves."
Rebecca Wrigley, chief executive of Rewilding Britain said: “It’s past time to reboot our relationship with the natural world, and Scotland can lead the way. By working with nature instead of against it, rewilding can restore life to hills, glens, rivers and seas – while tackling climate breakdown and offering fresh opportunities for farming and local economies."
The Alliance says rewilding at least 30 per cent of Scotland’s land and sea by 2030 can be achieved by restoring and expanding woodlands, moorlands, peatlands, rivers and marine habitats, and without loss of productive agricultural land.
The Alliance recommends using rewilding as a natural solution for increased absorption of atmospheric carbon, building rewilding into post-Covid green recovery plans, and establishing a native species recovery policy and a nationwide network connecting nature restoration projects.
Peter Cairns, director of Scotland: The Big Picture, said: “We’re being seriously outpaced by climate breakdown and biodiversity loss, so trying to save nature piecemeal isn’t enough. Scotland has the opportunity to restore the web of life that supports our health and wellbeing, while acting as a rewilding inspiration globally."
