Natural Capital

We’re joined by Derek Robeson from the Tweed Forum to explore their catchment-scale action across the River Tweed and the surrounding landscape and communities. We discuss their various projects including Eddleston Water and Destination Tweed and cover topics including natural flood management, working with landowners and economic drivers, to showcase what it takes to turn ambitious ideas into practical, beneficial action on the ground.

Host Harry Fisher, Producer Iain Boyd, Editor Kieron Sim, Executive Producers Kerry Hammond & Kirstyn Blackwood

Key Timestamps:

0:59 – 14:54 Intro to Tweed Forum, its activities and Eddleston Water project.

14:55 – 24:49 Destination Tweed, other projects and drivers.

24:50 – 33:40 Catchment scale approach, funding and logical solutions

33:40 – end How to get involved and find out more

Resources:

Tweed Forum: https://tweedforum.org/

Tweed Foundation: https://rivertweed.org.uk/tweed-foundation/

Borders Forest Trust: https://bordersforesttrust.org/

Southern Uplands Partnership: https://sup.org.uk/

FAS Water Management: https://www.fas.scot/environment/water-management/

River Catchment Management at Landscape-Scale:

https://www.fas.scot/article/river-catchment-management-at-landscape-scale/

For more information, visit www.FAS.scot

Twitter: @FASScot

Facebook: @FASScot

National Advice Hub

Phone: 0300 323 0161

Email: [email protected]

Join us for a conversation with Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands, the not-for-profit initiative is taking a proactive approach to restoring and connecting native woodland across the region. We explore the importance of woodland connectivity, the realities of creating woodland on working farms, and how the Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands and their projects are helping landowners turn good intentions into trees in the ground.

Contact:

McNabb Laurie - D&G Woodlands Manager

Email: [email protected]

Mobile: 07538 798 837

Harry Fisher - Consultant

Email: [email protected]

Host Harry Fisher, Producer Iain Boyd, Editor Kieron Sim, Executive Producers Kerry Hammond & Kirstyn Blackwood

Key Timestamps:

0:00 – 14:26 Intro to D & G Woodlands and their work

14:26 - 21:18 Their woodlands connectivity project

21:19 - 28:08 Types of woodland creation and the wider benefits

28:09 – End Next steps and how to find out more information

Resources:

Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands: https://dgwoodlands.org.uk/

Galloway & South Ayrshire Biosphere: https://www.gsabiosphere.org.uk/

Integrating Trees Network: https://www.forestry.gov.scot/integrating-trees-network

Tweed Forum: https://tweedforum.org/our-work/projects/borders-tree-grant-scheme/

FAS trees & woodland resources: https://www.fas.scot/crops-soils/farm-woodlands/

FAS Environment: https://www.fas.scot/environment/

For more information, visit www.FAS.scot

Twitter: @FASScot

Facebook: @FASScot

National Advice Hub

Phone: 0300 323 0161

Email: [email protected]

In this episode, we're joined by Abi Mordin from Propagate and Colleen McCulloch from the Soil Association to explore the work of the Scottish Agroecological Partnership (SAP), a collaboration of organisations working to make agroecology central to farming, crofting and growing in Scotland.

We discuss what agroecology means in practice, how collaboration is helping farmers, crofters and growers build more resilient businesses and their project to upscale agroecology. Through on-farm workshops, peer-to-peer learning and knowledge exchange, the partnership is supporting the adoption of farming practices that are good for soils, nature and people. We also explore the barriers to change, the economic case for agroecological farming, the role of policy, and what Scotland's farming future could look like.

Host Harry Fisher, Producers Iain Boyd & Fiona Salter, Editor Kieron Sim, Executive Producer Kerry Hammond

Key Timestamps:

1:10 – 10:21 What SAP do, who is involved and what is agroecology

10:22 – 18:39 What does it look like in practice, farmer clusters

18:40 – 24:29 Overcoming barriers to adoption and making the transition

24:30 – 38:18 workshops, knowledge sharing and engaging with policy

Resources:

FAS Biodiveristy

https://www.fas.scot/environment/biodiversity/

FAS Natural Capital podcast

https://www.fas.scot/sounds/natural-capital/

Scottish Agroecology Partnership (SAP)

https://www.agroecology.scot/

SAP Events

https://www.agroecology.scot/about-sap/events/

For more information, visit www.FAS.scot

Twitter: @FASScot

Facebook: @FASScot

National Advice Hub

Phone: 0300 323 0161

Email: [email protected]

In this episode, we are joined by Lorna Cole, Louise Bond and Alistair McVittie to discuss their collaboration on the newly published CREW report; Natural Capital and River Basin Management Planning, and what its findings could mean for the future of Scotland’s water environment and land use.

We explore the report's recommendations, including taking a whole-catchment, natural capital approach to river basin management, to consider the wider landscape and the many benefits healthy ecosystems provide. The conversation covers the evidence behind nature-based solutions as well as the opportunities, trade-offs and challenges associated with implementing them at scale.

We also examine the economic implications of changing land use, how the value of environmental improvements can be measured, and what future funding models, including public and private investment, blended finance, and emerging environmental markets could mean for farmers and land managers.

Host Harry Fisher, Producer Iain Boyd, Editor Kieron Sim, Executive Producer Kirstyn Blackwood

Timestamps:

0:53 – 3:44 intros to speakers and CREW

3:45 – 9:08 The report, its recommendations, 5 key elements and why this research is crucial

9:09 – 17:05 Different nature-based solutions, co-benefits, and trade-offs

17:06 – 21:06 how to quantify costs and value of managing land for wider societal good and future markets

21:07 – 32:40 Nature based solutions at scale, stakeholders, and mechanisms

Resources:

FAS Water management resources for farmers: https://www.fas.scot/environment/water-management/

FAS Natural Capital podcast: https://www.fas.scot/sounds/natural-capital/

CREW Natural Capital and River Basin Management Planning - Protecting and Improving Scotland’s Water Environment: https://www.crew.ac.uk/publications/natural-capital-and-rbmp

FIRNS - The Facility for Investment Ready Nature in Scotland: https://www.nature.scot/funding-and-projects/firns-facility-investment-ready-nature-scotland

Scottish Forum on Natural Capital: https://naturalcapitalscotland.com/

Nature Finance Exchange: https://naturefinancex.nature.scot/

Farming & Water Scotland: https://www.farmingandwaterscotland.org/

For more information, visit www.FAS.scot

Twitter: @FASScot

Facebook: @FASScot

National Advice Hub

Phone: 0300 323 0161

Email: [email protected]

In the first episode of the new series, we speak with Donya Davidson and Sophie Manson from NatureScot about their Natural Capital Tool and find out what it is, the challenges it addresses, and how it supports land managers in Scotland. We have a walk through showing how the tool works in practice and how it allows decision makers to identify strategies that maximise positive outcomes.

The Natural Capital Tool is a free, easy-to-use spatial decision support tool designed to enable a natural capital approach to land management. Considering the full range of benefits and ecosystem services nature provides, it helps users plan land use in ways that deliver multiple benefits for both people and the environment. Developed by NatureScot in collaboration with Liverpool John Moores University and EOLAS Insight, it is tailored specifically to Scotland’s landscapes and needs.

Host Harry Fisher, Producers Iain Boyd & Fiona Salter, Editor Kieron Sim, Executive Producers Kirstyn Blackwood & Kerry Hammond

Key Timestamps:

1:06 – 6:59 intro and background to the tool

7:00 – 18:34 the data, functions and design of the tool

18:35 – 35:30 how to use it and target audiences

35:30 – 44:19 run through of tool and next steps

Resources:

FAS Environment: https://www.fas.scot/environment/

FAS Natural Capital podcast: https://www.fas.scot/sounds/natural-capital/

Natural Capital Tool: https://natcaptool.nature.scot/

Natural Capital Tool | NatureScot: https://www.nature.scot/doc/natural-capital-tool

Biodiversity Audits for Whole Farm Plan | Helping farmers in Scotland: https://www.fas.scot/article/biodiversity-audits-for-whole-farm-plan/

Farm Biodiversity Scotland: https://biodiversity.scot/

For more information, visit www.FAS.scot

Twitter: @FASScot

Facebook: @FASScot

National Advice Hub

Phone: 0300 323 0161

Email: [email protected]

In this episode of the Natural Capital podcast we are joined by Jayne Ashley, Head of Natural Capital at SOSE to talk about the South of Scotland's Natural Capital Innovation Zone. The Natural Capital Innovation Zone (NCIZ) is a nationally recognised region in Dumfries & Galloway and the Scottish Borders focused on tackling the twin challenges of biodiversity loss and climate change. It is a catalyst for innovative natural capital projects, sustainable investment, and partnerships to develop scalable solutions to deliver a wellbeing economy. It provides a collaborative environment for organisations to grow ideas and deliver impact.

We discuss why the area is unique, the work, partners and projects they support and their plans for the future. This includes how they are looking to scale up investment in the area and how you can get involved.

More information and links about what we have discussed can be found below.

This episode was presented by Harry Fisher, produced by Iain Boyd and edited by Kieron Sim, in association with the Scottish Government.

Key Timestamps:

0:00 – 7:45: Intro to NCIZ, aims and guiding principles

7:45 – 13:30: What makes the area special and NCIZ as a catalyst

13:30 – 26:00: Projects and innovation NCIZ support

25:30 – end: Plans for future, scaling up investment and how to engage

Resources:

FAS Environment: https://www.fas.scot/environment/

Natural Capital Innovation Zone: www.investinsouthofscotland.com/nciz

Video - We are the Natural Capital Innovation Zone for Scotland: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_frjUpSAyhc

Solway Coast and Marine Project (SCAMP): https://www.solwaycoastmarine.co.uk/

Natural Capital Podcast Biosphere OPIN episode: https://www.fas.scot/podcast/natural-capital-galloway-and-southern-ayrshire-unesco-biosphere-opin/

Tweed Forum: https://tweedforum.org/

Carbon Centre: https://www.carboncentre.org/

For more information, visit www.FAS.scot

Twitter: @FASScot

Facebook: @FASScot

National Advice Hub

Phone: 0300 323 0161

Email: [email protected]

In this episode of the Natural Capital podcast, Harry Fisher and Iain Boyd discuss the new report from the Scottish Government; The Importance of Natural Capital to the Scottish Economy – A Regional Analysis. The report estimates that Scotland’s natural capital underpins at least £40 billion of economic output (14% of the total economy) and supports 260,000 jobs.

The discussion highlights the sectors of the economy heavily dependent on healthy ecosystems, and explores how reliance varies across regions, the areas most dependent and how to manage the risks. We discuss the many ecosystem services provided which are irreplaceable, the importance of valuing, looking after and investing in nature and how our natural capital assets are fundamental to economic resilience, rural livelihoods and long-term prosperity.

If you’d like to get in touch or find out more about what we have discussed, you can find links in the show notes.

This episode was presented by Harry Fisher, produced by Kerry Hammond and edited by Kieron Sim, in association with the Scottish Government.

Timestamps:

1:11 – 6:36 Overview of report and our valuable assets.

6:37 – 16:30 Impact on specific sectors, the role of technology, irreplaceability and risks

16:31 – 24:30 Regional analysis and economic reliance

24:31 – 33:10 Main takeaways and the importance of valuing and protecting our natural capital

FAS Resources:

FAS Environment: https://www.fas.scot/environment/

FAS Natural Capital podcast: https://www.fas.scot/sounds/natural-capital/

Related Other Resources:

Importance of Natural Capital to the Scottish Economy – Regional Analysis: https://www.gov.scot/publications/importance-natural-capital-scottish-economy-regional-analysis/

National Security Assessment on Global Biodiversity Loss, Ecosystem Collapse and National Security: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nature-security-assessment-on-global-biodiversity-loss-ecosystem-collapse-and-national-security

For more information, visit www.FAS.scot

Twitter: @FASScot

Facebook: @FASScot

National Advice Hub

Phone: 0300 323 0161

Email: [email protected]

We are joined by environmental historian Dr Ian Maclellan as we wind the clock back through Scotland’s long history of land use change: from the ice age to the Romans, clearances, industrialisation and modern pressures. Along the way, we unpack how humans have been part of the landscape – managing it for food, livelihoods and leisure, and the consequences this has had on nature and biodiversity.

Scotland’s landscapes are often seen as wild and timeless, but people and the land have shaped one another over thousands of years. We discuss this and how understanding yesterday can help us make better decisions for the future. Challenging us to have more nuanced, informed conversations about land restoration and management today - recognising complexity, positive outcomes, unintended consequences, and the realities of climate, culture and history.

Host Harry Fisher, Producer Iain Boyd, Editor Kieron Sim, Executive Producers Kerry Hammond & Kirstyn Blackwood

Timestamps:

1:25 – 13:38 Introductions and high-level walkthrough of Scotland’s natural history

13:38 – 31:00 Management of land and our relationships with it

31:00 – 43:55 Our perceptions and misconceptions of the land and challenges for the future

43:55 – end. Final comments and where to get more info

Related FAS resources

Natural Capital: https://www.fas.scot/sounds/natural-capital/

Biodiversity: https://www.fas.scot/environment/biodiversity/

Other Related Resources

Prof T C Smout: Nature Contested Environmental History in Scotland and Northern England since 1600: https://www.nhbs.com/nature-contested-book

University of Stirling Environmental History and Heritage: https://www.stir.ac.uk/about/faculties/arts-humanities/history-politics/history-research/environmental-history-and-heritage/

Prof R Oram: Where Men No More May Reap Or Sow: The Little Ice Age: Scotland 1400–1850: https://birlinn.co.uk/product/where-men-no-more-may-reap-or-sow/

Ichnos Heritage: https://ichnosheritage.com/

Galloway and Southern Ayrshire is Scotland’s first UNESCO Biosphere which promotes a balanced relationship between people and the natural environment. Built on partnership, community action, innovation and learning, the Biosphere supports thriving, sustainable communities living in harmony with nature.  

In this episode, we’re joined by Nature Recovery Manager Dr Anna Griffin and Natural Capital Officer Jonathan Olandi to explore the work of the Biosphere and introduce their new project, OPIN (On-farm Plans Integrated with Nature). This initiative will recruit 12 farms across the Biosphere in Dumfries and Galloway to take part in a five-year programme focused on whole-farm planning and farming resilience. We discuss how land managers can get involved, the benefits of participation, and the support available, including access to a robust suite of tools, data, and capital grant funding, that will help implement strategic land management actions that are good for natural capital and good for business.  

Host Harry Fisher, Producer Iain Boyd, Editor Kieron Sim, Executive Producers Kerry Hammond & Kirstyn Blackwood 

Timestamps: 

1:04 – 9:00 Intro to speakers and Biosphere 

9:00 – 14:30 Reasons for the designation and previous projects delivered 

14:30 – 30:30 The OPIN project 

30:30 – 50:00 Benefits for land managers and how to get involved 

Related FAS resources:   

Natural Capital: https://www.fas.scot/sounds/natural-capital/  

Biodiversity: https://www.fas.scot/environment/biodiversity/  

Other Related Resources: 

Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere: https://www.gsabiosphere.org.uk/  

To apply or for more information: https://www.gsabiosphere.org.uk/contact-us/  

Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal: https://www.borderlandsgrowth.com/ 

In this episode of Natural Capital, Harry Fisher and Alex Pirie reflect on their time at Scotland’s first Nature Friendly Farming Summit. The summit explored how to scale nature-friendly farming to deliver for people, nature and climate and brought together farmers, policymakers, researchers, and environmental leaders to discuss how Scotland can build a resilient, nature-positive farming future. The summit addressed how nature and profitability are not opposites and showed how the path to a thriving, nature-friendly farming future is already taking shape. 

Harry and Alex explore the main themes from the day, from farmers as stewards of the land, how profitability and biodiversity can go hand in hand and set the scene on biodiversity loss, climate pressures, and the need to de-risk nature-based solutions. The episode also looks at the future of funding, how current and new payment systems can reward environmental outcomes and discusses some of the key messages and announcements made on the day. 

Host Harry Fisher, Producer Iain Boyd, Editor Kieron Sim, Executive Producers Kerry Hammond & Kirstyn Blackwood 

Related FAS resources:   

FAS Environment - https://www.fas.scot/environment/  

NC LENs episode - https://www.fas.scot/podcast/natural-capital-landscape-enterprise-networks-leven-lens/  

NC John and Louise Seed Woodend episode - https://www.fas.scot/podcast/arable/  

Thrill of the Hill - https://www.fas.scot/sounds/thrill-of-the-hill/  

Other Related Resources: 

Nature Friendly Farming Network - https://www.nffn.org.uk/  

Minister for Agriculture speech - https://www.gov.scot/publications/minister-for-agriculture-speech-nature-friendly-farming-network-summit/  

RSPB article on summit - https://www.rspb.org.uk/scotland/news/nature-friendly-farming-summit-scotland  

AECS announcement - https://www.ruralpayments.org/news-events/ministers-have-confirmed-the-2026-round-of-the-agri-environment-climate-scheme--aecs-.html  

Alex Pirie - https://www.sruc.ac.uk/all-unearthed-posts/meet-the-consultant-alex-pirie/  

Timestamps: 

0:56 – 6:10 Intro to summit, nature friendly farming and setting the scene 

6:11 – 25:26 Range of different farmers, organisations and messages from speakers and exhibitors  

25:27 – 29:10 Policy, government messages and funding announcements 

29:10 – 35:04 Landscape scale initiatives and LENs 

35:05 – end. Summing up and main takeaways.