Green Action Trust – Nature Networks Pilot Project

Between June 2025 and May 2026, Green Action Trust (GAT) delivered a Nature Network Pilot to support the development and implementation of Nature Networks across Scotland. Working with five Local Authorities (LAs), the pilot aimed to identify barriers, advance local progress, and capture learning that could be applied more widely. 

GAT worked with each LA through semi-structured interviews and a review of their existing Nature Network progress, resources and capacity. This established a baseline of progress and identified the specific challenges affecting each authority. Support was then tailored to the individual needs and starting point of each LA. 

Capacity gaps identified 

Across the five Local Authorities, GAT identified a set of capacity gaps that were limiting progress for Nature Network implementation. These included: 

• Limited staff capacity and competing priorities, particularly where biodiversity or ecological expertise was stretched or absent. 

• Variable confidence in collating relevant datasets and using digital mapping tools. 

• Need for stronger stakeholder engagement, including internal departments, delivery partners, communities and landowners. 

• Practicality of moving beyond mapped corridors into project pipelines, delivery groups and monitoring. 

• Limited certainty around funding and routes to implementation, making it difficult to translate Nature Network mapping into practical action. 

Responding to capacity gaps 

GAT provided flexible and practical support tailored to these needs. This included: 

• Strategic advice and guidance to help LAs assess their progress, interpret available guidance, and identify realistic next steps via an implementation plan and process diagram for each authority. 
• Mapping and data support, including a digital data review to identify datasets that could inform Nature Network mapping and design.
• Technical and partnership support, including connecting LAs with NatureScot, Scottish Government and Aecom and supporting wider collaboration. 
• Support for delivery and governance, helping LAs consider stakeholder engagement, delivery groups, project opportunities and routes towards implementation. 
• Peer learning and knowledge exchange through three themed Q&A sessions, monthly Nature Network surgeries and an in-person peer learning workshop and site visit. 

The pilot helped the five Local Authorities move forward from different starting points by combining strategic advice and technical tailored support.  

In Clackmannanshire, GAT supported the use of local knowledge to develop draft Nature Network corridors, while in Fife and Stirling strategic advice and guidance helped support Nature Network development. 

In North Ayrshire, we explored the potential for the River Garnock corridor to become a future Local Nature Reserve, combining GIS analysis, habitat surveys and site assessments to identify opportunities for restoration and improved ecological connectivity. Meanwhile, in East Ayrshire, GAT helped establish a Nature Network Delivery Group, bringing together partners to support future delivery, collaboration, and long-term stewardship of the authority’s Nature Network. 

GAT created structured opportunities for peer learning and knowledge exchange through three themed Q&A sessions, monthly Nature Network surgeries and an in-person peer learning workshop and site visit. Peer learning was consistently valued by participants, with 20 of Scotland’s 32 Local Authorities represented across the themed Q&A sessions and 17 attending the Nature Network surgeries. These sessions helped clarify policy expectations, share practical experiences, and facilitate cross-border collaboration. 

The Nature Networks Pilot demonstrated the value of targeted and flexible support in helping Local Authorities progress their Nature Networks from different starting points. By identifying individual capacity gaps and responding with tailored advice, technical support and opportunities for peer learning, GAT helped authorities build confidence, develop their approaches and take practical steps towards delivery. 

The learning from the five pilot authorities provides a useful foundation for shaping future Nature Network support and helping Local Authorities across Scotland move from strategic development and mapping towards practical, place-based action.