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Published: 14 Apr 2022

Meet our Nature Champions

Scottish Environment LINK’s Nature Champions initiative matches willing MSPs with environmental organisations to raise awareness and take action for a native species or habitat. Meet the Trust's latest nature champions...

Champion for sea trout

Jackie Dunbar, MSP for Aberdeen Donside has agreed to champion sea trout, a species hosted by the John Muir Trust and the Scottish Wildlife Trust. Sea trout is a migratory form of the brown trout, which goes to sea, remaining in the coastal or estuarine areas close to their natal river, to feed before returning to spawn. A recently-returned sea trout is distinctively silvery, returning to brown trout colours in the river.

Sea trout populations have declined in many Scottish rivers. We hope Jackie will help us to increase awareness of this species and the critical role for sea trout, similar to Atlantic salmon, in sustaining a fragile web of biodiversity that links sea, freshwater and land.

Champion for the lesser butterfly orchids

Maree Todd, MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, has agreed to champion the lesser butterfly orchid - a flower whose stronghold is the north-west of Scotland, where it grows in patches on the roadside verges near Quinag.

Roadside verge cutting when the orchids are still in flower can reduce the orchid population so  we were delighted that Maree took on an immmediate action to write to the Highland Council to propose restricting verge cutting until after the orchids had flowered and dispersed their seed.

Champion for upland birchwoods

MSP and Leader of the Scottish Labour Party Anas Sarwar is our champion for upland birchwoods. As a pioneering habitat that grows quickly, upland birchwoods replenish lost nutrients and enable the right conditions for other species to return. This important habitat can help biodiversity recover in Scotland.

Champion for golden eagles

Christine Grahame MSP for Midlothian South Tweeddale and Lauderdale has agreed to champion the golden eagle. This magnificent bird of prey is regarded by many as Scotland’s national bird and emblematic of some of Scotland’s wildest places. The Trust hosts this species with RSPB and the Scottish Raptor Study Group and is looking forward to working with these organisations and Christine to help protect golden eagles in Scotland.