The Wildlife Estates Scotland project

Transcription

1 The Wildlife Estates Scotland project From concept to accreditation Wildlife Estates General Assembly Holkham Hall - September 2014 Project supported by:

2 Background to WES European origins and development by ELO Influence in Scotland of Wildlife & Natural Environment Act - Focus on sporting activities - Vicarious liability - Threat of restrictive legislation - Need for Industry to respond Launch of WES Scotland - Level 1 membership 10 principles - Pilot schemes 1 & 2 - Level 2 accreditation WES objectives

3 Development approach Establishment of WES Board Formation of Technical Support Group Pilot 1 & 2 Application development Evaluation methodology Designing database Preparing Business Plan and funding

4 Launch of Accreditation Ministerial backing, SNH funding support Those affiliated with WES are on the way to creating a transparent system which demonstrates how land and estate owners can deliver multiple benefits to rural Scotland. In this sense WES fits well with the developing Scottish Government Land Use Strategy. I wish the accredited estates on the WES programme every success. Paul Wheelhouse, Minister for Environment

5 Benefits of WES to Government Private sector led Wide ranging support and participation Collection of pan Scotland reliable data Measurement of long term trends Establishment of biodiversity KPIs Helps deliver Government strategic goals on biodiversity and climate change Helps deliver Government goals on sustainable land use and delivery of multiple benefits Helps to create a culture of partnership and co-operation

6 Benefits of WES to Estates / Landowners Tourism / commercial benefits from Wildlife Estates label Removes threat of restrictive legislation / regulation Improved relationships / understanding of Government, NGOs and conservation organisations Potential long term funding for staff training on monitoring and other forms of best practice Potential funding support for preparation of wildlife management plans Potential route to securing SRDP funding for conservation projects Potential for opening meaningful discussions with Government on conflict management

7 Current progress 19 farms and estates, ranging from 100 up to 58,000 ha 273,000 ha currently under WES accredited management Estates comprising a further 45,390 ha under assessment A further 34 farms and estates with applications Build-up of species & habitats info within WES database Collaboration with Cairngorm National Park

8 Accreditation components Estate identification - Owner, location, activities, assets Species and Habitats - i) managed species ii) species present. Key indicative species. Best Practice - e.g. Deer management, muirburn, code of good shooting practice. Supporting management plans an integral part of a sound application Conservation projects - evidence of initiatives Integration with Agriculture, Forestry, Tourism Social, economic and cultural aspects - links with community, employment, cultural & built heritage

9 Accreditation scoring WES accreditation basis of scoring Quantitative points-based, emphasis on Game/wildlife management in line with codes of practice Plans, delivery & collaborative activities Qualitative - management rating Overall management, based on the CMS sustainable estates toolkit: P (proactive) - plans & execution A (active) adequate plans & execution U (under-active) plans & execution in need of development Assessment independent of WES Evaluation and site visits

10 Data capture Table views, sorting, aggregation, analysis & reporting Building a snapshot of usage, assets, biodiversity, conservation activity, employment Reporting to SNH, data feed to National Biodiversity Network Use of data to produce annual update on contribution of estates to biodiversity, community and rural economy

11 What is WES aiming to achieve? Build a respected game and wildlife management accreditation system To make accreditation accessible to the widest possible range of landowners and holdings in Scotland extend constituency To develop WES as a product with practical benefits to those achieving Level 2 accreditation To capture, maintain and interpret valuable biodiversity, social and economic information Practical support from partners Financial support from members

12 Development for the future Where we hope WES will end up Integral part of the way Scotland s countryside is managed Confidence by all parties in the Accreditation system Build dialogue, encourage improvements in best practice, biodiversity gains & sustainable practices at little cost to public purse Information that facilitates conflict resolution A great economic driver

13 The Wildlife Estates Scotland project From concept to accreditation Wildlife Estates General Assembly Holkham Hall - September 2014 Project supported by: