Environment

Despite the hot and dry summer, our climate is changing in many ways.  Flooding is now identified as one of the top climate change related risks facing the UK, with reports of flood damage costing the Scottish economy upwards of £700 million in 2016. The Scottish Climate Change Adaptation Programme outlines how it is one of many challenges we face, With climate change likely to alter rainfall patterns and bring more heavy downpours.

The annual National Whale and Dolphin Watch concluded earlier this week, with a record number of species spotted by watchers.

Every year, scientists at the Sea Watch Foundation lead a campaign to help members of the general public contribute to scientific endeavours to protect whales, dolphins and porpoises.

Scottish Lowland/Farmland Curlew Workshop

Both breeding and wintering populations of Curlew are declining at an alarming rate throughout the British Isles and the species has recently been added to the Red List of endangered species and is considered Near Threatened, having already vanished as a breeding bird from large parts of the lowlands. Changes in farming practices, predation and human disturbance are the most commonly highlighted factors.

Climate Challenge Fund - Transport Gathering 2018

The 2018 Transport Gathering will bring together community-led organisations from all over Scotland who are working to reduce emissions in their area by helping people to reduce their reliance on the car and travel by foot, bike or public transport instead.

The Nature Friendly Farming Network (NFFN) is led by farmers across the UK with a passion for sustainable farming and nature and they seek to unite farmers who have a sustainable outlook. The NFFN also works to secure positive changes in policy, including how farming is supported by the public.

Offering a 'new vision' for the future of Scottish agriculture, a group of farmers have used the Royal Highland Show as their forum to launch a Nature Friendly Farming Network in Scotland for the first time.

Golden eagles, beavers, ospreys and pine martens will all take centre stage in a landmark new conservation book aiming to inspire a change in attitudes towards a wilder Scotland. 'Scotland: A Rewilding Journey' will lay out a vision of how rewilding could transform Scotland and benefit it

A new industry led group to share, disseminate and encourage adoption of advances in agricultural science and technology has been established. The group will explore the opportunities surrounding agricultural technologies as a means of helping farmers maximise on farm efficiency and the subsequent economic and environmental benefits that this can bring.

The establishment of the new group is the fulfilment of a commitment made within the agriculture chapter of the recent Climate Change Plan, which was laid before Parliament earlier this year.

Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park prepares to welcome campers as the second season of byelaws comes into effect.

The seasonal camping management byelaws come into effect on 1 March 2018 and cover certain parts of the National Park between March and September.

The results from the 2017 National Whale and Dolphin Watch are now available.

The event took place between 29 July and 6 August, with 2,500 volunteers from around the British Isles getting involved to report on the UK's whale and dolphin species.

Sightings of 1,410 whales, dolphins and porpoises were reported from land and at sea as part of the event.

Kathy James, Sightings Officer for Sea Watch said:

The Scottish Seabird Centre is seeking a young person to join their Board of Trustees for a year in celebration of Scotland's Year of Young People.

Applications are being accepted from people aged between 18 and 35 who work in the conservation, environmental education or the wildlife tourism sectors.

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