Scotland’s wildlife is “missing out” on millions of pounds in species recovery funding, according to the Scottish Rewilding Alliance.
The group has criticised the Scottish Government after its latest Programme for Government failed to include a dedicated fund for species recovery.
Scotland is set to receive £7.38m through the UK’s species recovery programme, but the Alliance says it is unclear whether the money will be used to support wildlife recovery or other areas of government spending.
It is calling for the funding to be ringfenced and used to establish a dedicated Species Recovery Fund, which it has proposed naming ‘An Tilleadh’.
The Alliance says the fund should cover the full process of bringing species back, including ecological assessments, working with communities, reintroductions, monitoring and long-term management.
The UK Government has committed £90m over three years to England’s Species Recovery Programme and public forest estate, funding projects including habitat restoration, captive breeding and species reintroductions.
The Scottish Rewilding Alliance says Scotland’s £7.38m allocation comes from a population-based funding formula.
It has warned that the lack of a specific commitment to species recovery could make it harder for Scotland to meet its legally binding 2030 climate and biodiversity targets.
The concerns come as the Scottish Government also sets out plans to merge SEPA, NatureScot, Zero Waste Scotland and Scottish Forestry into a single environmental agency as part of efforts to make efficiency savings.
Tom Bowser, Co-Convenor of the Scottish Rewilding Alliance, said reorganising public bodies “must not become an excuse for inaction”.
He said Scotland needs investment to bring wildlife “back from the brink” and return missing species to the country’s landscapes.
The Alliance is also calling for a fairer funding model, based on Scotland’s natural landmass and assets, as well as a collaborative framework for species reintroductions.
Charlotte Maddix, Advocacy Coordinator for the Scottish Rewilding Alliance, said Scotland had already shown it could restore species through the return of the Eurasian beaver and white-tailed eagle.
She said the proposed An Tilleadh fund could help ensure Scotland’s nature, communities and cultural heritage recover together.