What one thing would most help Scotland’s wildlife in the next 50 years?

It’s an interesting question, and one that we asked our members, partners, volunteers and staff to answer as part of our 50^th anniversary celebrations last year.

We didn’t expect to find a single answer of course. Instead, we asked it because we wanted to inspire thought, stimulate conversation and ultimately, encourage action.

Since posing the question, we’ve received a stream of responses. Sorting through these has already fuelled much debate amongst Trust staff but, after careful thought, we have settled on a final 50 things that we believe need to happen in the next 50 years if we are to protect and restore Scotland’s natural environment for future generations.

From saving the Scottish wildcat in our uplands, to bringing back beavers to our lowlands for good, de-paving our urban areas and ending the overfishing of our seas, the final 50, available to read via the link below, cover a huge range of subjects, issues, species and habitats. I invite you to read through 50 for the Future and imagine what Scotland could look like if all 50 are achieved.

Please click here to download 50 for the Future

To continue the conversation, we are going to be writing a blog article every week that focuses on one of the 50 things. By delving deeper into each of the 50, we hope to explain why we think every one of them is important. The articles will be written by Trust staff, volunteers, members, partners and ambassadors, as well as by guest bloggers, but we want you to get involved too. You can play an important role in this story by keeping the conversation going. Talk to your friends and colleagues, think about how your actions affect the environment, and let us know what you think by leaving a comment. You can email us at thefuture@scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk or tweet @ScotWildlife using #50forthefuture.

Thank you and I hope you enjoy 50 for the Future.

Jonny Hughes is the Chief Executive of the Scottish Wildlife Trust