Scotland Director’s Blog

Anne calls for reassurance from Scottish Government that nature won't be forgotten in the new offshore wind developments.

Later this week, the Scottish Government will be publishing their 2022-23 Budget and has a chance to give nature some of the funding it needs. So, what will we be looking for in the budget?

Thoughts and lessons learned from COP26, from Anne McCall, Director of RSPB Scotland

Anne discusses our new report, which looks at how Nature-based Solutions can help us adapt to climate change.

In today's blog, Anne highlights the need for nature to join greenhouse gas emissions in the discussion around agriculture in Scotland.

Anne responds to the 2021 Programme for Government, and what it means for nature.

Anne talks about the National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4), currently being drafted by Scottish government officials, which will address the nature and climate emergency. Anne looks ahead to Scotland’s net-zero, nature-rich future.

MSPs recently voted to increase funding for nature. In this blog Anne McCall, Director of RSPB Scotland gives us the run-down of what happened and our assessment of how well the green recovery is going in Scotland.

Anne McCall, Director of RSPB Scotland, responds to the publication of the Sectoral Marine Plan for Offshore Wind.

Anne McCall, Director of RSPB Scotland, and Duncan Orr-Ewing, RSPB Scotland Head of Species and Land Management, share the outcomes of the RSPB gamebird shooting and associated land management policy review and what it means in Scotland.

RSPB Scotland Director Anne McCall responds to the Committee on Climate Change report released today.

Today is the first day of Mental Health Awareness Week 2019, which aims to help people understand, protect and sustain their mental health. Anne McCall, Director of RSPB Scotland, discusses some of the work we are doing both within the organisation and for the wider community to contribute to this goal.

It's really fantastic that the Scottish Government has so swiftly accepted the advice of the UK Committee on Climate Change that we need to cut climate emissions to net-zero target by 2045. Scotland can lead the way on climate action, and at the same time help our precious wildlife, but Government must now help deliver more nature-based solutions to climate change across Scotland. Anne McCall, RSPB Scotland Director,…

Anne McCall takes a look back at our successes of 2018, and considers the challenges ahead

Anne McCall shares RSPB Scotland's recommendations to the Scottish Government for a stronger Forestry Strategy

Some reflections on the Islands Act and how it will be important to our wildlife and environment.

On the Islands

On the 6^th July 2018, the first ever Scottish legislation focused exclusively on islands entered the statutes. This is a significant milestone - and a major achievement - for island communities across Scottish archipelagos. It signals a refinement of political representation, and further devolution of powers…

Anne McCall takes a look over our Ntaure of Scotland Awards which began in 2012. 

Celebrating Scottish nature champions

One of the highlights of my job is getting to sit down and read through all the applications we receive for the Nature of Scotland Awards each year – something I had to do fairly recently in preparation for our judging panel discussions on 31 July. Each year it becomes a bigger job, as we get more and…

Anne McCall takes us through RSPB Scotland's vision for future rural policy in Scotland and how you can have your say on it through a Government consultation.

Scotland's future rural policy

The debate around the future of farming and rural policy in Scotland post Brexit has been well underway for some time now. You can find RSPB Scotland’s views here in a paper co-authored with our conservation partners…

“EU institutions have played a pivotal role over the past forty years in ensuring that our environment laws have been enforced, and giving a voice to citizens and civil society like ourselves who speak up for nature. The loss of EU oversight will result in gaps in our environmental protections and threaten Scotland’s unique and special natural heritage. This issue must be addressed. That’s why we have been working with…

Anne McCall takes a look at what’s being proposed in the ‘Forestry Bill’ currently working its way through the Scottish Parliament.

Scotland’s Forestry Bill

The subject of governance arrangements and organisational structures is never one to set the world alight. But these things do matter. As the ‘Forestry Bill’ works its way through the Scottish Parliament, there are some who have raised…

In this blog Anne McCall, Director of RSPB Scotland, celebrates this year's World Wetlands Day. 

World Wetlands Day 2018

You probably aren’t aware – unless you are obsessed with bogs and swamps - that February 2^nd is World Wetlands Day. Here are just a few reasons why we should all be celebrating these fascinating and diverse habitats, not just today but all year round.

One benefit of our frequent wet…

This is my last blog wearing my RSPB hat and I have decided to look again at the impact that Invasive Non Native Species (INNS) are having on biodiversity in the UK and across the globe. This is one of the hidden killers of native wildlife-and a by-product of man’s ability to cross oceans and inadvertently transport species to new environments. Trade and carelessness have been the downfall of many island species already…

In my last blog post, I gave my top five recommendations for things to see and do at Birdfair – in this post, I’d like to offer some practical advice to help you get the most out of your experience.

 

1 Check the weather

If it rains, the Birdfair site can get rather wet and muddy underfoot. And in full sunshine, the marquees are hot. I recommend checking the forecast before you come, and make sure you’re…

When you look at the Birdfair programme, it can feel a little overwhelming – there’s so much to see and do! How do you decide?

Here are my top five recommendations to add to your list:

1 Go see some art

At the art marquee, you’ll find some of the best wildlife artists in the UK. Not only do you get to see their paintings, you get to meet them in person, and even see some of them working. It’s wonderful…

When you walk through the gates into Birdfair, you feel an enormous sense of pride and purpose. This happens because the money your paid for your ticket is doing something very special. It’s not going into the pocket of a corporate events organiser, but helping save some of the rarest and most threatened birds in the world.

Every year, the RSPB and BirdLife International identify an overseas project that could…