The Nature of Scotland â Autumn 2011 â Issue 13
The Nature of Scotland â Autumn 2011 â Issue 13
The Nature of Scotland â Autumn 2011 â Issue 13
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
Healthy wildlife<br />
At the heart <strong>of</strong> a strong country sports industry lies a healthy<br />
wildlife resource. <strong>The</strong> right management <strong>of</strong> this resource<br />
is crucial to ensure that it delivers the full range <strong>of</strong> local<br />
benefits (environmental as well as socio-economic), which<br />
contribute to wider benefits for people across <strong>Scotland</strong>, from<br />
the high street to the high hills.<br />
SNH are now working in partnership with private land<br />
managers and country sports enthusiasts to help ensure<br />
the widest possible benefits from these activities. We’re<br />
supporting initiatives in a number <strong>of</strong> areas, including<br />
promoting best practice in the country sports industry,<br />
helping to raise skill levels through practical demonstration<br />
workshops, and supporting parts <strong>of</strong> the sector to ensure that<br />
all practitioners operate humanely and in a way from which<br />
both the species and their habitats can benefit.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re are important traditional and cultural links to our<br />
country sports, but that’s not to say that the old ways are<br />
always the best. Novel techniques for managing species<br />
conflicts, innovative developments that make the industry<br />
more efficient, and new regulations to support food<br />
traceability are all areas on which we’re actively working.<br />
Country sports are one way <strong>of</strong> achieving sustainable land<br />
management, one way <strong>of</strong> ‘using’ the wildlife resource – one<br />
way among many. Whether it’s watching, filming, eating or<br />
simply being with wildlife, our aim is to help as many people<br />
as possible to enjoy <strong>Scotland</strong>’s varied wildlife resource.<br />
2<br />
Rough shooting on the<br />
Western Isles.<br />
Challenging sport in<br />
spectacular settings<br />
also brings much<br />
needed income, out <strong>of</strong><br />
season, to these<br />
remote locations.<br />
3<br />
Fishing is a popular<br />
leisure activity in<br />
<strong>Scotland</strong> and a major<br />
contributor to the rural<br />
economy <strong>of</strong> some<br />
areas.<br />
“At the heart <strong>of</strong> a<br />
strong country sports<br />
industry lies a healthy<br />
wildlife resource.”<br />
3<br />
www.snh.gov.uk 35