Environment

A new report from Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) shows considerable progress was made in 2019 to help bees, butterflies and other pollinators.

Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing has announced funding for a new programme to support farming's contribution to meeting Scotland's climate change ambitions. 

The Scottish Government has started early engagement on the development of Scotland's fourth National Planning Framework (NPF4).

The National Planning Framework is a long term plan for development and investment across Scotland.

An upcoming Scottish Rural Action conference will kick start a 'rural movement' to make rural Scotland's voice heard.

Representatives from rural Scotland's communities, businesses and organisations are invited to attend the free event taking place from 26 to 27 February at New Lanark Visitor Centre, the renowned world heritage site.

To celebrate Scotland's Year of Coasts and Waters 2020, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has launched a new community fund.

The £150,000 Plunge In! The Coasts and Waters Community Fund offers a range of grants from small pots for schools and youth groups to awards of up to £10,000.

The fund is currently open for applications for community-led ideas that will engage and connect more people with our seas, coasts, lochs, rivers, streams and wetlands, as well as their unique wildlife.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon recently launched the Scottish Charity Awards 2020, encouraging organisations from across the country to apply. 

The annual awards are organised by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) and celebrate the fantastic work that charities and community groups do every day to help those in need and raise awareness of important causes. 

YouthLink Scotland has launched a new small grants programme to support young people to take part in Scotland's Year of Coasts and Waters 2020.

The Scottish Government-funded programme will make grants available to local groups and organisations offering informal learning opportunities for young people to explore the nature, history and culture of Scotland’s lochs, rivers, shorelines and waterways.

A total of £45,000 is available.

The closing date for applications is 1pm on Friday 14 February 2020.

A new podcast dedicated to rural Scotland and it's various industries has launched today, Monday 13 January.

The OnFARM – Food, Agriculture and Rural Matters podcast has been launched by Scene & Herd PR and Marketing and is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify and a new dedicated website.

Scene & Herd PR and Marketing are working with industry experts, successful business owners and key organisations to increase public and inter-industry awareness of Scottish rural enterprise and its stories.

A groundbreaking bid to help save Scotland’s almost-vanished mountaintop forests and their wildlife is being launched by Trees for Life, with the creation in the Highlands of what is thought will be the country’s largest planted area of rare high-altitude woodland.

Conservation charity the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust is celebrating after its newly launched Hebridean Whale Trail was a finalist in a major award announced at a glittering event in London on 4 December.