Event: Nature Networking - Breathing Life into Nature Networks

At the end of August, 200 plus folk from across Scotland came together for a two day event to breathe life into our Nature Networks.

Page last updated 1 September, 2025

At the end of August, 200 people from across Scotland came together with the aim of fostering collaboration and enthusiasm, identify synergies to support delivery and to help stimulate action for nature networks.

Folk joined from local and planning authorities, community groups and partnership organisations, ENGOs, energy sector, Scottish Government and public bodies, consultancies and other private sector organisations.

Event details

	Day 1 – 26th Aug – online
9:45	Welcome – , Local Authority led development and Making Connections Ben Ross – Protected Areas and Innovation and Data Manager, NatureScot
10:00	Casting the net wide; Nature Networks broad policy benefits Su Campbell – Climate Adaption Policy Manager, Scottish Government
10:30	Investing in Nature Networks Evan Bowen-Jones – Co-Founder, Rebuilding Nature
10:40	Nature Networks video Scottish Environment Link
10:45	Break
11:00	Beyond the Map Workshops: Scotland’s rural land and communities, the keystone of Nature Networks Pauline Silverman, Green Action Trust Lucy Filby, South of Scotland Enterprise Mike Duxbury, Inclusive Farm Scotland Abi Morden, Propagate Neil Picken Raffaela Diesel, Scottish Borders Council Karen Morley, Dumfries and Galloway Council Bringing in community priorities Dr Hannah Grist -Lecturer in Socio-Environmental Systems, SRUC Uwe Stoneman – Good Practice Adviser, Scottish Land Commission Top tips for restoring species & habitats – Scottish eNGO support Meg Griffiths – Action for Species Officer, Plantlife Jenny Hawley, Policy & Advocacy Manager, Plantlife
12:30	Lunch
13:15	Beyond the Map Workshops
14:45	Break
15:00	Existing Local and Planning Authority Action David Heatherington – Cairngorms National Park Authority Andrew Puls – Highland Council Neil Lockrie – North Ayrshire Council
15:45	Close Ben Ross – Protected Areas and Innovation and Data Manager, NatureScot
	Day 2 – 27th Aug – Battleby Conference Centre
9:45	Registration and coffee
10:30	Welcome Ben Ross – Protected Areas and Innovation and Data Manager, NatureScot
10:45	Role of NNs and 30×30 in a net zero, nature positive Scotland Brian Eardley – Biodiversity Policy Manager, Scottish Government

11:15	Ambition in Action Showcase Chaired by Lisa Chilton, CEO of SCOTLAND: The Big Picture Riverwoods: Nicole Still – Riverwoods Project Manager, Scottish Wildlife Trust B-Lines: Rebecca Lewis – Scotland and Northern Ireland Manager, Buglife Forth Climate Forest: Guy Harewood – Forth Climate Forest Development Officer, Scotland’s International Environment Centre
12:10	Lunch
13:10	From Definitions to Delivery sessions: These parallel sessions looked to provide a space for discussion between attendees around key topics of interest regarding Nature Networks. Existing Public Funds Facilitated by Brian Eardley – Biodiversity Policy Manager, Scottish Government Facilitating private investment Facilitated by Sara Bellshaw, Nature Finance Manager NatureScot Nature based solutions; How can nature networks address societal challenges Facilitated by Frazer McNaughton, Operations Manager – South and West Central and Elana Bader, Nature-Based Solutions Officer NatureScot Decision support tools: AECOM Nature Network tool Hosted by Ross Stewart, Technical Director and Peter Hurley Senior Data Scientist, AECOM Decision support tools: Natural Capital Tool Hosted by Donya Davidson, Natural Capital Manager and Sophie Manson, Natural Capital Project Officer NatureScot Nature30 Facilitated by Mhairi Stewart and others from the NatureScot 30×30 team Walk and talk (networking at Battleby grounds)
14:10	From Definitions to Delivery sessions
15:10	Collaboration, collaboration, collaboration Lizzie Williams – North West 2045 and Coigach & Assynt Living Landscape Jo Gibbs – Community Development Officer, East Lothian Climate Hub Jenna Cains – Glenkens Land Use Project
15:45	Close
15:55	Coffee and networking
17:00	Policy over a pint

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Event: Nature Networking – Breathing Life into Nature Networks

Event details

Day 1 – 26th Aug – online

Day 2 – 27th Aug – Battleby Conference Centre

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