This week’s Nature Spotlight: Rusty Bog-Moss, championed by Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP & Plantlife Scotland. Sphagnum mosses are keystone species that help to form healthy, carbon-storing peatlands. Conservation efforts include rewetting bogs, reintroducing Sphagnum moss & regulating peat management.

Since 2013, 100+ MSPs have championed threatened species and habitats through the Nature Champions initiative. In this blog we thank Nature Champions from the 6th Scottish Parliament for their dedication & highlight some inspiring memories. The initiative returns in May! Read more: bit.ly/3O26eS0

New British Sign Language signs for marine species are here, making conversations about nature and climate more accessible to everyone! 👋 The @edinburgh-uni.bsky.social Scottish Sensory Centre tested them out while cleaning oysters with #RestorationForth 🦪 #SignLanguageWeek #SLW2026

In honour of National learn about butterflies day on March 14th this week’s Nature Spotlight features the Large Heath butterfly. Found in Scotland’s peatlands, it signals a healthy ecosystem. Conservation efforts with Sarah Boyack MSP & Butterfly Conservation Scotland protect this vital species. 🦋

In honour of Global Dolphin Awareness Month, meet the White-beaked Dolphin! Championed by Ash Regan MSP & Whale and Dolphin Conservation, this acrobatic and social species faces many threats like climate change & noise pollution. Let’s protect Scotland’s precious marine wildlife! #SaveScottishSeas

Scotland’s seas need urgent protection. After a decade of delays, Scottish Environment LINK calls on party leaders to start a public consultation on coastal marine protected areas within 100 days of the May 2026 elections. Let’s protect marine life and support coastal communities. #SaveScottishSeas

This week’s Nature Spotlight: Waxcap Grasslands, vital for biodiversity and ecosystem health. Did you know there are 40 different waxcap species? Fungi may not be as flashy as mammals but without them ecosystems would collapse. They need an MSP to champion their protection! 🍄🌿 #NatureSpotlight

This week’s Nature Spotlight is on the Azure Hawker Dragonfly, championed by Evelyn Tweed MSP and the British Dragonfly Society. Tiny but mighty, these dragonflies face threats from climate change & habitat loss. Conservation efforts focus on surveys, habitat care & community awareness.

🔊 TIME CHANGE: Scotland’s Big Climate & Nature Debate The big debate is moving to a 7pm start tomorrow! 📍 In-person: Arrive at Augustine United Church by 6:30pm. 💻 Online: Free tickets still available! Book here: tr.ee/h0Kmra2ZDY

In honour of Whale Day we spotlight Scotland’s whales championed by MSPs and supported by @whalesorg.bsky.social & Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust. These giants face threats from pollution and entanglement. Conservation efforts focus on protection, research, and marine reserves. 🐋 #NatureChampions

Last night, cross-party MSPs took part in a debate recognising the species and habitats that they champion in Parliament. 🏆 Listen to the full debate to hear why thriving road verges can be just as important as Scotland's more charismatic flora and fauna! www.scottishparliament.tv/meeting/memb...

📣 Nature Champions Debate! 📣 MSPs will raise awareness of some of Scotland's extraordinary species & habitats this evening as part of a Nature Champions debate! 🌳 Tune in from 5.10pm! www.scottishparliament.tv Read the Motion: www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/votes-and-motions/S6M-20338

Interesting Walrus sighting in the Firth of Forth! Our oceans are an amazing place. 💙 We're working hard with communities and wonderful partners to restore marine environments around the Forth - for nature, climate and future generations. 🌍 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... #Marine #Wildlife

Nature Spotlight on the Freshwater Pearl Mussel, championed by @audreynicollsnp.bsky.social + Buglife. These critically endangered mussels live up to 100 years and filter 50L of water daily. Conservation focuses on protection and habitat restoration. #NatureChampions

In honour of #NationalHedgehogDay we’re spotlighting the vital role of road verges for hedgehogs and other wildlife. These wild habitats, championed by Mercedes Villalba MSP & Plantlife, provide safe spaces to forage and buffer pollution. Protect our verges to help Scotland’s wee critters thrive! 🦔

Big win for Scotland’s nature! The Natural Environment Bill passed by MSPs will bring in legally binding targets to restore wildlife and habitats. Huge thanks to LINK’s members and supporters who helped make this happen! Let’s keep pushing for strong action and funding to restore Scotland’s nature.

Today we raised our voices outside Scottish Parliament in one last push to ensure politicians stand up for Scotland's nature. The Natural Environment Bill could be a game-changer - introducing nature targets and Swift bricks. The final debate starts today, we hope to see major wins for wildlife.

This week’s Nature Spotlight: the Red Squirrel, championed by Alexander Burnett MSP and The Scottish Wildlife Trust. Known as ‘Feòrag Ruadh,’ they live in conifer woods, building nests called dreys. Threats include grey squirrels & habitat loss. 🐿️🌲 #NatureChampions @scotwildlife.bsky.social

Discover how LINK’s Nature Champions initiative is gaining global attention at the World Economic Forum. 🌿🐾🌍 Read the full press release: www.scotlink.org/global-boost... #worldeconomicforum #naturechampions #davos

Today is #RedSquirrelAppreciationDay! We’re delighted that this coincides with us collecting over A QUARTER OF A MILLION squirrel records. Read more about this fantastic achievement here: scottishsquirrels.org.uk/2026/01/21/n... 📷 Raymond Leinster

How delicious! #DYK that Alpine Blue Sow Thistles are a favourite food for herbivores like deer and sheep, and it only survives in a few locations in Scotland that are inaccessible to grazing? #NatureChampioned by @graemedey.bsky.social + @plantlifeuk.bsky.social www.scotlink.org/species/alpi...

This week’s Nature Spotlight is on Orcas, championed by Beatrice Wishart MSP & Whale & Dolphin Conservation. 🐳🌊🐬 @beatricewishartmsp.bsky.social @whalesorg.bsky.social Orcas, or ‘killer whales’ are not whales at all but in fact the world’s largest dolphin! Let’s protect them & our seas #orcas

Introducing LINK's Nature Spotlight series! Each week, we highlight a unique Scottish species or habitat & the protection efforts it needs. This week features the Capercaillie, a rare & endangered woodland grouse championed by Nature Champion Emma Roddick MSP in collaboration with RSPB Scotland.

Happy New Year to all our followers! 2026 is a big year for Nature Champions... Did you know that the #NatureChampions initiative relaunches each Parliament to welcome new cross-party MSPs who will champion Scotland's species and habitats in Holyrood? (1/2)

Fantastic news and a very worthy winner 😁💪👏🦫

And now for the winner of the MSP Nature Champion of the Year 2025... @ariane-burgess.bsky.social! Ariane is the Nature Champion for the Beaver and the Aspen, and wins the award specifically for her work championing the beaver - including her support with the release of beavers in Glen Affric! 🦫

First up... A Special Commendation for @audreynicollsnp.bsky.social - Nature Champion for the Freshwater Pearl Mussel with Buglife. Audrey has championed the freshwater pearl mussel both in and outside Parliament in 2025, including in a debate she led on protecting Scotland's rivers! 🌊

Tonight we announce the MSP Nature Champion of the Year 2025! Keep your eyes peeled for an announcement at 8pm to find out which MSP went the extra mile this year to champion their species or habitat. 🌳🌊🏆 Find out more: www.scotlink.org/link-campaig... 📸 Calum McLennan

Which MSP Nature Champions have stood up for nature in 2025? Who's been the adders' advocate, the puffins' protector, the hero of heathlands? We’ll be announcing the winner of the MSP Nature Champion of the Year award this Wednesday @ 8pm - stay tuned!🏆 Discover more: scotlink.org/link-campaig...

Why do we need targets for nature recovery? 🎯🌱 climate goals, legally binding nature targets are crucial for Scotland to drive real investment & strategic restoration. Past efforts fell short without them. It's time for decisive leadership! Read more: www.scotlandlovesnature.scot/we-need-natu...

Protect our wildlife 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Today, @scotlink.bsky.social's Nature Champions are dressed as Scottish animals, including our very own wildcat costume. The campaigners are demonstrating outside the Scottish parliament as MSPs debate the Natural Environment Bill 🗳️

What is a roost? Here are some bat roost facts: 🪹 Bats do not make nests, but choose various places throughout the year to shelter, live and sleep in. 🦇 Where bats choose to roost varies between species and the time of the year. 📍 They don't stay in the same roost the whole year.

Climate and nature groups will be marching together at the #ScotlandDemandsBetter march in Edinburgh on 25 October. Details below!

Welcome home, Greenland White-fronted Geese! These red-listed geese breed in Greenland and make a 2000-mile journey back to the UK and Ireland each year in autumn/winter. Discover more: www.scotlink.org/species/gree... Championed by Jackie Baillie MSP + @rspbscotland.bsky.social 📸 Ian Fulton

Right now just 5% of Scotland’s farm funding directly supports nature-friendly farming. That’s nowhere near enough. Ahead of next year’s elections call on party leaders to commit to investing in a future where wildlife and farmers thrive 🚜 🐦🐝 Take action now: action.rspb.org.uk/page/174887/...

We 💚 the spherical beauty & temporary nature of #SeedHeads, especially this Meadow Goat’s Beard (or Meadow Salsify) about which poet Abraham Cowley (1618-1667) wrote, “The goat’s beard, which each morn abroad doth peep But shuts its flowers at noon and goes to sleep.” #WildFlowerHour

Happy hump(back) day! 🐋 A suitably cetaceous fact for today: #DYK humpback whales have the largest forelimbs in the animal kingdom, leading to their scientific name 'Megaptera', meaning 'giant winged'. 🧐 #NatureChmpioned by @jamiegreeneuk.bsky.social Learn more: www.scotlink.org/species/hump...

Do you want to make your neighbourhood better for wildlife? Join us in Glasgow for a friendly, informal workshop, open to anyone who wants to organise action for nature in their community. The workshop will run on 16 September at 10am and 2 October at 7pm. Sign up - bit.ly/3UGTQqp

The wait is almost over. 🦅 RETURN - the breathtaking story of how the White-tailed Eagle was brought back from extinction - premieres this Friday 29th August on our YouTube channel. Fifty years in the making... Who's ready? youtu.be/i_A7_E6vIwQ?...

Championing wildcats 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 We're seeking parliamentary support to save wildcats in Scotland, from attending events like @naturechampions.bsky.social's Parliamentary reception, to hosting MSPs at @highlandwpark.bsky.social. Our policy brief ➡️ savingwildcats.org.uk/media/fl1fhv3w/policy-brief_3.pdf 💼

I was delighted to finally meet the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) conservation teams on site. Their passion and deep care for our precious species really came through — and their work is nothing short of vital. #HighlandsAndIslands #ScottishGreens

We were thrilled to take part in Scotland’s first ever Snorkel Festival recently. From guided snorkel sessions to fascinating talks, there was so much going on. Our own Elouise Dalziel and Rachel Faichnie were both in attendance and tell us more in our latest blog 👇 buff.ly/ls6wFq7

It's World Whale and Dolphin Day! 🐳 Did you know that Scotland's seas are home to a variety of different whales, dolphins and porpoises, including some of the biggest on Earth? Take our short quiz to discover more about these incredible creatures! ⬇️ forms.office.com/e/7qp0mi0Lq4

A moment of appreciation for one of nature’s architects! The red-tailed mason bee sometimes nest in empty snail shells. They then cover it in grass and twigs to protect it against predators. Isn’t nature amazing? #Bee #Nature

The Noctule Bat is usually one of the first bats to appear in the evening, with calls just audible to the human ear. In summer, these ginger-golden bats roost in trees with holes made by woodpeckers, rot, or splits. #NatureChampioned by Miles Briggs MSP with @batconservation.bsky.social

🦇 Discover the magic of summer nights in your garden, where bats take to the sky at dusk. Our gardens are vital for providing food and shelter to these fascinating creatures as their habitats dwindle: www.bats.org.uk/advice/garde...

📣 Nature Champions News! 📣 @tesswhitemsp.bsky.social is the new #NatureChampion for the Black Grouse! Tess will be working with @scotlink.bsky.social member @rspbscotland.bsky.social to champion these iconic birds in the Scottish Parliament. 👇 www.scotlink.org/species/blac... 📸 Andy Hay/RSPB

"The current session has seen MSPs climb mountains in search of bees, wade across rivers for endangered mussels, attend night-time bat surveys and even abseil from trees in support of Scotland’s extraordinary species and habitats!" Read our latest blog: www.scotlink.org/celebrating-...

What mingles in the marsh? A whole world of incredible species! 👀 This coastal habitat is vital for both nature and climate. But it's disappearing at an alarming rate. We can turn the tide by taking action to protect the natural world - on land and at sea! 🌊 #Nature #Climate #Wildlife

📣 Today is the LAST DAY to nominate your favourite 'culturally important' tree to be UK tree of the Year 2025! 👇