Land management

Our aims are to promote improved public access and to provide advice and practical assistance to those who manage the natural heritage.   SNH has a key role to play in supporting those involved in managing land in private, public or voluntary ownership.

Most of Scotland’s countryside is farmed and agriculture has a significant effect on the natural heritage. SNH has a key role to play in working with farmers, crofters and landowners to promote and encourage care and management of the rural environment. A new programme called Natural Care will help managers of Scotland's special natural heritage areas.

We continue to work with land managers to take forward practical projects.   These initiatives aim to show how improved environmental practice can become an integral part of land management operations.  

SNH offers financial support through its SNH grant programme to land managers to increase the natural heritage value of land.

Future Farming Award

Applications for the Future Farmer Award (worth £4000) are welcome from anyone farming in Scotland who is keen to inspire others to try practical ideas for improving the environmental sustainability of farming.'

"We know that there are many land managers in Scotland who are undertaking farsighted, cutting edge farm management which is also environmentally sustainable. SNH is pleased to support this innovative new award which will help farmers and crofters share with others what they are doing. We encourage land managers to think about entering, no matter how big or small their landholding is."

Peter Beattie, Scottish Natural Heritage