We are making good progress on our year-long Nature Networks pilot. We have been working closely with five pilot authorities and NatureScot to identify and overcome barriers to the development of Nature Networks.
We completed the second phase in December 2025. This focussed on Local Authorities’ progress with Nature Networks and included a series of in-depth, semi-structured interviews with key staff across the pilot Local Authorities. We are grateful to everyone who took part and for the insights they shared.
Phase 3 focusses on supporting the pilot authorities to move forward with their Nature Network development. A targeted set of tasks has been developed to enable this, in response to the key barriers identified during Phases 1 and 2.
Why nature networks matter
The vision for Scotland’s Nature Network Framework is that: “By 2030 Scotland will have evolving, flexible and resilient Nature Networks connecting nature-rich areas allowing wildlife and natural processes to move and adapt to land use and climate change pressures.”
Nature Networks are a key delivery mechanism of the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy, contribute to Scotland’s Environmental Strategy and are embedded in the National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4). Read more about the key policy drivers for Nature Networks on NatureScot’s website.
The Nature Networks toolbox is coordinated by Scottish Government and NatureScot. Explore the toolbox here: naturenetworks.scot