Environment

Grants to help support a wide range of environmental improvement projects have been given to communities across Scotland.  The money will enable local people to take a hands-on approach to improving their local environment by supporting a varied range of practical ideas. 

Sheep producers who have lost livestock to sea-eagles will continue to receive support from Scottish Government for 2024. Up to £400,000 has been allocated to the Sea Eagle Management Scheme (SEMS) to help farmers explore different management techniques and trial new prevention measures.

Land managers in receipt of financial support through long-term Management Agreements as part of the scheme have been assured payments will continue this year.

Deer management targets to protect and restore nature in key areas of Scotland have been met, thanks to long-term collaborative efforts from estates.

This winter, landowners and managers have been working hard to make progress in two areas where control agreements are in place – North Ross in the west and Caenlochan in the east.

The Chief Statistician for Scotland has released figures for Wildlife Crime in Scotland 2022. The statistics show that recorded wildlife crime was down by 7% from 308 offences in 2020-21 to 286 offences in 2021-22.

The Scottish Government is stepping up action to tackle climate change with a suite of new policies on transport, including increasing the number of electric vehicle chargers, and land use.

The Scottish Government are seeking views on the priorities and principles they have set for the use of bioenergy, as well as views on the potential to scale up domestic production of biomass via planting of perennial energy crops.

The Marine Fund Scotland (MFS) is now open for applications for the 2024-25 financial year.  The deadline for applications to the first round of MFS for 2024-25 is 9 May 2024, and applicants are asked to ensure that they have their application and supporting documentation submitted by this date.