The Trust is calling for 50 changes over the next 50 years to dramatically restore Scotland’s natural environment including the reintroduction of lynx, restoring all peatlands and designating Scotland’s first urban National Park, in a new publication. 

‘50 for the Future’ lists 50 actions that could transform Scotland’s natural environment for future generations. It is divided into five sections: uplands, lowlands, urban, marine and Scotland-wide. 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 cover a wide range of issues, species and habitats.

‘50 for the Future’ was born last year at the end of the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s 50th Anniversary, when members, supporters and experts were asked by the Trust to submit their ideas on “What one thing would most help Scotland's wildlife in the next 50 years?”. 

Chief Executive of the Scottish Wildlife Trust, Jonny Hughes, said: “Fifty years ago, otters were on the brink of extinction in Scotland, there were no protected areas for marine wildlife and beavers had been absent from the landscape for almost 350 years. Fifty years on – this is not the case. We can have a huge impact to Scotland’s natural environment over the next 50 years if we work together. 

“The Scottish Wildlife Trust is inviting people to visit our website,  browse through 50 for the Future and imagine what Scotland could look like if all 50 are achieved. Everyone plays an important role in this story by keeping the conversation going. Talk to your friends and colleagues, think about how your actions affect the natural world, and let us know what you think by tweeting @Scotwildlife using #50fortheFuture.”