Managing woodlands for biodiversity

Scotland's forests cover 18% land surface but support a high share of our biodiversity. 

We take on a wide range of work to protect, conserve and enhance biodiversity. This includes carrying out conservation projects in private woodlands and encourage good practice. The Biodiversity Duty Report sets out how we've furthered the conservation of biodiversity during the period 2018 to 2020. 

Scottish Forestry Biodiversity Duty Report 2018-2020 

The biodiversity duty requires us to: 

• promote activities aimed at increasing the level of understanding and connection between people and the living environment
• consider our impacts on the environment 
  • encouraging staff, partners and customers, to engage with and understand how we improve biodiversity through its day to day activities

The Scottish Government published the final version of the Scottish biodiversity strategy to 2045 in November 2024. 

Scottish biodiversity strategy to 2045 (Scottish Government website)

The strategy is supported by the first in a series of rolling delivery plans, the Scottish biodiversity delivery plan 2024-2030.

Scottish biodiversity delivery plan 2024-2030 (Scottish Government website)

Alongside statutory targets for nature conservation, these publications form the strategic framework for biodiversity. 

The Strategy sets the Scottish Government’s high-level goal: to halt biodiversity loss and be Nature Positive by 2030 and to have restored and regenerated biodiversity by 2045.