Scotland Loves Nature: 'Declare your love for nature!'

" Honestly, Scotland is one of the most beautiful countries in the world and we should be proud of that. In comparison to other countries, we still have so much natural wilderness. We need to protect this. We the people can only do so much, we really need you guys in government who have a little more say than us to help. Please. "

Sophie Rachel

Glasgow

" To whom it may concern, Nature is a life line for many and provides incredible solace, joy and comfort. Nature and green spaces need to be nurtured and protected so that people and animals have places to go to unwind, to clear their minds, to create homes, to be nurtured. We are lucky in Scotland to have some incredible green spaces and it needs to stay that way. Please do what you can to continue to protect and nurture green spaces and nature across Scotland. "

Rachel

Edinburgh

" I want my children to have butterflies and birds in abundance and they need wild places unbuilt on. Money should not be the only goal. "

Iona

Edinburgh

" If life experience has taught me anything, it is that we all need to put nature first. Nature needs to be at the top of every agenda. We are all part of nature and we cannot live without it. Mankind has done so much harm, I truly believe that over the past few hundred years we have gone down the wrong road, by raping and pillaging planet Earth. It should not continue and we all need to change. Please put nature first and protect her, work with her and she will look after us all. "

Dave

Lancashire

" I am fortunate to live on a Scottish Isle with a wealth of natural scenery and flora and fauna. I've always loved the outdoors and during the pandemic I think getting out, albeit on my own, saved me from depression. I've not only experienced it myself but first hand in others, when I have led health walks and rambles. Nature is good for the soul. Please follow through with land reform and encourage rural outlets for people in towns and cities. "

Paul

Argyll and Bute

" I've loved nature since I was a kid. I had a small pond with frogs and spent hours watching tadpoles and froglets. These days I struggle to find frogs. Hedgehogs were common when I was a kid. Only 40-odd years later, I rarely see one. Nature is in steep decline, and it's because of us. Our use of chemicals, our overconsumption of all resources, our destruction of natural habitats. It can't go on. We must do something or humanity will suffer as much as nature already does. "

Ross

Ayrshire

" I'm a nurse working in Edinburgh. Being in nature and helping conservation projects including teaching kids and young people is a vital balancer in my life. it started with wanting to be in nature for myself, as therapy, then I realised our natural heritage can't survive on gratitude or happy memories. please support the Bill and let's leave a better legacy for the future! "

elizabeth

Edinburgh

" In a world full of stress and unkindness nothing calms me down or heals me as some time in nature. Every year we go to Largo Beach to spend a week with the birds, fish and waves to set ourselves up to go again. Please understand how important it is to protect this for everyone. "

Tessa

Edinburgh

" Spending precious time alone in nature on the Galloway coast as a child is the reason I am now an environmentalist and environmental educator. It shaped and sustained me. Everyone should have access to green space and the physical and psychological benefits it provides. We are part of the web of life and must actively, passionately protect the nature that sustains us "

Megan

Dumfries and Galloway

" Being in nature is a mental health reset. Everybody should have access to green spaces and it should be a priority that they are protected. Everyone benefits as do the animals, plants and insects we share the planet with. "

Anthea

Glasgow

" Nature is my calm when life is a storm. Seeing wildlife brings me so much joy and it is so important we make space for nature as well as people. Past practices have left Scotland devoid of much of the wildlife that used to live here. We must act now before it’s too late. "

Ellie

Stirling

" I can't imagine living in a world without nature. Waking up to birdsong and going for long walks in the forest, and admiring all the different creatures all around me is my oxygen. I can't life without it. Being in one with nature is priceless. "

Christina

Central Scotland

" this year, the oyster catchers and lapwings, no longer nest in the field behind our house we miss their calls, feel the planet is awry, (biodiversity on the retreat?), will the swallows return? only unwelcome seagull scavengers seem on the rise? "

Màiri

Outer Hebrides

" Please consider nature in town planning. Instead of one big mass of housing, enforce open spaces between development areas that will provide nature corridors. "

Margaret

Ayrshire

" We need to protect the environment from pollution of the seas, pollution of rivers from agribusiness, intensive farming. Please support the Natural Environment Bill. "

Colin

Central Scotland

" I became aware a little while ago that on my regular early morning walks around the outskirts of Dunblane, every time I heard or saw a bird, I smiled. There is a simple but very profound connection made, when we are able to be in nature. I honestly believe nature has the power to save us, but only if we reciprocate. Please help protect the wonder that we have in Scotland. "

Paul

Stirling

" If we look after Nature then, Nature Will look after us "

Gwenny

Edinburgh

" We need Nature to be in a healthy condition so that we can survive too. Think about the next generation and their quality of life. "

Alison

The Highlands

" Destroy nature, and we will end up with even more mental illness, hatred and violence. A walk in the woods, by the river or in the mountains is restorative to body, mind and soul. Young children and families need to be able to access nature. Please protect ALL green belt. How about developing derelict city properties for housing? Sadly, there's plenty of it as shops and city centres close down. "

Kirsten

Perth and Kinross

" I could cry when I see how much land we have encroached on since I was a kid. I grew up in a small village & I was lucky to have the sea a wild areas on my doorstep. I look now & the same small village has almost doubled in size & has stolen a whole load of ground that was wild & free. There is so much gone & it is totally irreplaceable. That's wildlife, flora & fauna made homeless in the blink of an eye. "

Carol

Argyll and Bute

" We rely on nature, and nature relies on us! We need each other! We must protect the environment. "

Hilde

Scottish Borders

" It's just common sense. We are part of Scotland's environment and depend on it for our very existence. Destroy it and we'll go down with it. "

Margot

Scottish Borders

" Nature is fascinating; it is good for the soul and is important to all people. Nature is vital for our well-being, survival and is important for its own sake. A walk in Scotland's hills or by the coast shows the diversity of Scotland's natural history and the enjoyment that can be discovered amongst it, but also at times the threats that confront it. I feel it is imperative to ensure its recovery. "

Tricia

Glasgow

" Nature is life, our children's future, what sustains us - please protect it and be on the right side of history. "

Aimee

Falkirk

" We are nature! Nature gives us everything we need to survive and thrive, it’s only right that we protect and enhance our natural world. "

Becky

Edinburgh

" We need to protect and continue with rewilding to bring back the balance. We created the imbalance that exists therefore it is our duty for future generations to bring back the natural order. "

Sandra

Edinburgh

" The importance of nature to us and future generations is paramount. We need to double down on policy to restore nature. This time is crucial to keep us in touch with a world we knew from our past. "

Andy

Lanarkshire

" We have an opportunity to be a world leader in the reverse of the human-induced decline of our native species - we have the wealth to achieve it but need the will from our leaders. Without our native species our agriculture, our world-renowned open spaces - will suffer unimaginably and once it has gone it will be considerably more expensive and challenging to restore. The cost to take action now is nothing compared to what we as a nation will suffer if we do nothing "

Loren

Lothian

" We need to do all we can to protect our ecosystems for a healthy natural world around us for today and tomorrow. Whether for our wellbeing in enjoying and wondering at the beauty of nature or understanding nature's intricate, fragile web, we very much need to be looking after it all. "

Lorna

Midlothian

" Scotland is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world. We surely must be obligated to do all we can to rectify this sorry situation. "

Mae

Stirling

" I understand the need for more housing, but please stop councils building in green belt areas and encourage city/ town regeneration instead (Glasgow and Dundee particularly). Our wildlife is so important and it is heartbreaking to see natural habitat being eroded. "

Fiona

Fife

" Nature has helped me through some really sad times, just sitting, listening and looking is a salve to my soul. I just cannot express how important it is to me, it is the foundation of everything. "

Ann

Tayside

" Protecting and enhancing Scotlands nature has many economic, social and environmental benefits. The appropriate investment of resources in any land or marine area will repay itself through increased employment, improved wellbeing and improved ecological diversity which will secure the future of those who follow us. Ensure that nature is given every opportunity to benefit the people of Scotland "

Moir

Lothian

" Our Nature needs full protection to restore and maintain it's biodiversity. e.g. The health of our insect life is so important for agriculture. Just think if we lost bees and other pollinators? Most of our flowers would die off and crops would fail. And any wildlife that feeds on the insects would suffer, etc. etc. "

Steve

The Highlands

" I get great pleasure seeing red squirrels and listening to song birds. Nature is not only good for the soul, it's good for the economy. There would be no need to spend millions on peatland restoration or returning rivers to more natural watercourses to prevent flooding if we had just looked after them properly in the first place. "

David

Aberdeen

" Please do a good turn for nature in this term of parliament. Our family love helping birds in our city garden or squirrels at our holiday lodge in Ballater but we need you, our politicians, to help with laws to protect it. Please do your bit... "

Ewan

Edinburgh

" Helping nature is beneficial to us all. If nature thrives we all reap the benefits. Please work hard to support and save our environment. "

Tricia

Lanarkshire

" We need to support nature in order to fight climate change. As well as for the beauty and happiness it brings to our world. We need to nurture and sustain our world for the future. "

Margaret

Stirling

" I love nature because it has the ability to evoke all positive emotions. Scotland’s nature gives me a senses of place and home. Scotland has a USP with its natural landscapes, flora and fauna that should be celebrated and protected. "

Terri

The Highlands

" Nature is the most important part of my life. To be able to access the beauty of Scotland and it's wildlife so easily and readily, keeps me sane and healthy in an increasingly challenging world. This love I share with my family, we all spend time in Nature, whether by accessing local Parks or travelling to Lochs, Coasts and Hills to be uplifted and sustained by it. "

Patricia

Glasgow

" Nature matters for all of us on this planet. Over my lifetime of 66 years I have seen so much of the world, including Scotland, depleted of biodiversity, due to, so called progress. I am frightened of the future. Unless we can work in harmony & respect for nature I fear the future is very uncertain for all of us. "

Jane

Dunbartonshire

" We need to protect nature. Humans have already done huge amounts of damage which must be halted. We need nature for both practical reasons like food production and for wellbeing. Scotland has amazing natural spaces which must be protected for all. Scotlands farming industry also needs protection but it also needs help to work hand in hand with nature. "

Mandy

Moray

" I cannot imagine a morning/day when I would waken up to silence. No birds chirping. When out walking in woodland and by a river, watching wild life from fish rising, birds singing, squirrels jumping in the trees, unimaginable. Please, please use the power you have with this Bill to ensure our nature is fully protected. They are part of who we are and cannot imagine a world without them. "

Catherine

Lothian

" Nature makes my day full of happiness and when I’m not feeling great it uplifts my mental health and brightens my day. It is also crucial that our need and animal and insect like pollinates and enriches our soils and if we don’t protect all of this we won’t have the wonderful countryside which essentially produces our food. Time to think and take stock!!! "

Phyllis

Fife

" For the health and well being of every living thing on this beautiful planet we MUST all look after our nature. Please help. "

Isobel

Fife

" Nature needs our help so please consider it whenever it's required. Do what you can to protect it and help it flourish. "

June

Aberdeenshire

" How could I not love and want to protect Scotland's nature? Nature provides us with so much. Of course, there are strong economic arguments for protecting nature, but on a personal level, feeling connected to the natural world around me keeps me going as a mum, as a doctor, and as someone trying to make life better for us all. Please ensure future governments have to support nature recovery in Scotland. "

Lynn

Perth and Kinross

" I am so lucky to live in the Berwickshire countryside but we cannot be complacent. We must keep working FOR nature. The Duns swift box scheme is a fantastic example of this. "

Jane

Scottish Borders

" Without nature and a good diversity of species we will struggle to survive. Insects are needed to pollinate crops, birds and mammals are required to keep the balance of nature stable, and natural predators are needed to keep populations in check. Constant spraying with chemicals is very bad for the environment, not to mention what it is doing the humans. "

Sylvia

Tayside

" Look after nature "

James

Midlothian

" The importance of Nature should be self-evident. We need urgent action to place Nature at the heart of all we do in Scotland and the planet in general. Please do all you can to ensure we have resilient and effective ecosystems which give us, as well as wildlife, the capacity to fight climate change, promote sustainable farming and support human health. "

Kevin

Edinburgh

" Being surrounded by Scotland’s beautiful nature and spotting birds and squirrels is what makes life worth living. We need to protect what we can for future generations! "

Rebecca

Glasgow

" when I moved into my semi rural house 30 years ago, I set up a wildlife camera, it recorded lots of red squirrels, hedgehogs, frogs, toads , even a snake one year, all in my garden. Now all I get are grey squirrels, everything else has gone, even the bird numbers have dropped considerably. We need to help nature now, before it's too late. "

Jane

Tayside

" Nature is my solace, it is everything to me. Wild places are my church. Nature’s destruction is sacrilege. It breaks my heart. Please save our plants, animals and other beasties for those living now and those of future generations. I worry that children these days don’t know what a world full of nature feels like - their baseline has shifted. We need to get it back on track. "

Lara

The Highlands

" We have to save the planet! "

ROBERT

Perth and Kinross

" Without the natural world we are all in trouble so please give it the priority it deserves for our children and grandchildren's futures. "

Penny

The Highlands

" Without nature we are nothing. If we destroy it our very existence is treated through climate change, death of bees. Pollution damages our physical health. Open spaces and the beauty of nature enhance our mental wellbeing. A concrete jungle is not what future generations need. Please fund this bill properly and ring-fence money for it so that our environment does not become the first casualty when money is tight, as it always is. "

Diana

Tayside

" Scotland is a very special place because of its beautiful nature. We must protect our wildlife and keep their habitat safe. All God’s creatures deserve a place to call home. "

Valerie

Aberdeenshire

" Nature in all it's forms, is as vital as the air we breath. It brings us joy, sustainability and empathy for the natural environment, without it we'd be in a very dark place. If we want to sustain it, every policy we make should take account of it's impact on nature. "

Joe

Lothian

" To hear the birds sing, to climb trees, to find hidden primroses, to explore ponds and woodland, to breathe clean air, to feel calm on a walk in the country. Everyone needs this to live! And nature needs us to allow this. "

Robin

Stirling

" It's wildlife and environment are amongst Scotland's greatest assets. They need protecting! "

Trevor

Dumfries and Galloway

" Being in my garden listening to and watching birds is my sanctuary and recovery space. Since moving into a new housing estate I have noticed a distinct lack of songbirds and I really miss them. We need more spaces for nature to thrive "

Jennie

Edinburgh

" Humans are interdependent with the nature around them . Our country has great beauty but would be more beautiful if we had all the diverse species that belong here thriving . "

Alasdair

Midlothian

" Scotland is full of wonderful flora and fauna. For our children’s sake and our own, we cannot allow these spectacular animals, birdlife, plants, flowers and trees to vanish from our amazing landscapes. "

Peter

Dundee

" Scotland would not be the magnificent country it is without it's glorious nature "

Debbie

Fife

" Natural spaces bring me peace during stressful times. Nature reminds me that I am part of something more important than my day-to-day worries. "

H

Edinburgh

" I moved to the from the midlands of England to the Highlands 52 years ago because I couldn't stand the degradation of our landscapes there. Much of Scotland is or has the potential to be a wildlife and nature paradise - please do all you can to ensure that this glorious part of the world retains its valuable natural resources. "

Wendy

The Highlands

" Nature must be protected it is vital to our survival and wellbeing "

Kelly

Tayside

" As humans, we rely on nature for our survival. Nature will survive without us but we cannot survive without it. Scotland has the potential to show far more biodiversity and species both on land and sea. "

R

Fife

" Our society and economy is embedded within nature, not separated from it. Protecting the environment is not only beneficial to all other species but also crucial for humanity! There is growing disconnect between people and the life-supporting ecosystem services and resources upon which our lives depend. "

Charlotte

Edinburgh

" We are very fortunate to have in Scotland an outstanding diversity in flora and fauna. It is up to us to protect and nurture it for the future generations. The cost effective (sic) option would be to cut back funding in the protection of Scottish nature. Once gone it would unlikely recover. "

HUGH

Dunbartonshire

" For far to long we have treated our environment as though it's only reason for existing is for our benefit, failing to realise that we are just one part of nature and the most expendable part at that, how much better would nature get along without us human beings, it is time for us to replace our conceit with respect, only by doing so may we all survive! "

Alisdair

The Highlands

" The environment is extremely important. Without a healthy countryside we have nothing. Mess it up and we all perish. It cannot be cured overnight. PLEASE defend it before it is too late. Scotland is beautiful , let us make sure that it always will be. "

Joan

Aberdeenshire

" The sanctioned and managed decline of nature in Scotland is a scandal. Nature is bigger than us, bigger than economics. Where is the ambition? "

Sarah

Lothian

" The coast, the rivers and woods of Aberdeen are a constant source of peace and beauty because of the nature to be found there. My family and I value this and access it week to week. What we see is that even where it is supposed to be protected, over-development and low prioritisation of nature by local and national authorities mean that it becomes ever smaller, more fragmented and less interesting. "

Adrian

Aberdeen

" We can be poor in material wealth but we can all help towards passing on nature to future generations to enjoy and appreciate This should be taught a lot more in schools instead of on the fringe of education It is the best knowledge that young people should grow up with to help with their mental wellbeing Adults in general do not set a good example "

Jane

Scottish Borders

" This year Scotland lost its winter. In the Highlands in the hills winter came and went within a week. One weekend it was summer the next winter. This has rotated all season there has been winter base in our hills which is not just unusual it’s alarming. You may not notice this in the central belt but for us in the highlands it screams volumes. You have to wake up and see the signs you have to act now! "

Jennie

The Highlands

" For me Nature is essential for physical well-being and mental health, I can't imagine life without it. From clear air, water, oxygen, living soil to the inspiration of a beautiful view or bird song, Nature makes life possible and meaningful. Nature should be integrated in all aspects of our life "

David

Edinburgh

" Let's preserve our diverse and wonderful habits and creatures that occupy them. Our lives would be poorer without nature around us to lift our spirits. Drab lives lead to greater social problems and costs. Better spent on a vibrant environment. Keep the birds singing. "

Amelia

Ayrshire

" The cycle of life is in the balance locally and around the planet. Please do your best to save our local nature . "

Fiona

Fife

" Nature is crucial to our survival and brings us many benefits. We need to improve the biodiversity of Scotland's land and sea. There are many wonders, but also many ecological deserts. We cannot afford to just have nature in island reserves. We need to link habitats and restore nature in the wider countryside, within a productive agricultural system. "

chris

Central Scotland

" I believe humanity owes it to nature to help it recover from the toxic climate that humanity has created with burning of fossil fuels and dumping plastics on soil and water. Too many species have already been lost and humanity suffers when this happens because diversity aids us all. Please do what you can to make Scotland's nature a priority. "

Mary

Edinburgh

" Hello, it is so important that we as a society find meaningful ways in which we can all contribute to sustaining our beautiful country. SHE IS SO VERY WORTH IT! Kim "

Kim

Glasgow

" Humans are not separate to nature, we need it for our well being so we need to protect and support areas of nature to flourish. "

Gillian

Lothian

" Being in nature brings a smile to my face. I work from home and every day after work I go out on a walk to re-connect with the world and get fresh air in my lungs. I love listening to the birds and seeing what I can spot. I’ve recently seen a family of 4 deer just 5 minutes from my home, and a pair of ducks on a little flooded area in a field. It makes me feel so appreciative of my surroundings "

Lesley

Lanarkshire

" Virtually everything about Scotland is wonderful - but the natural beauty of it surpasses words. We have to protect nature for it's own sake, but also for humans too. "

Valerie

Herefordshire

" Nature in Scotland is hugely depleted and everything must be done to improve this fact. Not just in our wild spaces but in towns, cities and villages and nature should be at the heart of policy not as an afterthought. I want a beautiful, natural Scotland to exist for the generations that follow. "

M

Fife

" Nature is struggling. Red squirrels have disappeared from my area and I see fewer and fewer animals and birds around me, not to mention insects. We need pollinators to survive so we MUST place great importance on conserving and improving our natural environment. "

Jennie

Dumfries and Galloway

" I am passionate about Nature, in particular our wildlife, magnificent trees, rivers and seas. We rely on Nature for our existence and must protect it before it is too late. We are only passing through this beautiful land and should be looking after it for future generations. Our wildlife does not have a voice but has as much right to be here as we do so lets look after it now before more species disappear. "

sandra

Perth and Kinross

" When I first visited Scotland six years ago, her incredible nature convinced me to pursue my masters and career here. Every day that I wander in the hills or spot a red squirrel or smell peat in the air, I'm beyond grateful to be living in such a beautiful place and pray that she's protected and preserved for generations to come. "

Hannah

Glasgow

" Being from Grangemouth where quality green space is limited, the move to NetZero should include more focus on improving and increasing green space for the community... Grangemouth has a large number of flats and the green spaces are vital to provide people space to socialise, exercise and enjoy the outdoors. "

Marnie

Falkirk

" As a wildlife warden at Strichen Community Park. We need to give nature every chance we can. Help them to have access to land and food. Space to thrive. "

Ann

Aberdeenshire

" Nature has intrinsic value but also brings multiple benefits to humanity. Working in the conservation sector it is all too clear to see we are a country that is severely nature depleted. There are great examples out there of individuals and organisations who are doing great work including showing that farming and nature can coexist but these case studies now need to be mainstreamed. "

Mark

Moray

" Please. This is an existential crisis and we are sleep walking into a state that will be unrecoverable. History and the future of our civilisation is in your hands. We are all part of nature and so far we have indulged in self harm to the point where our lives are in danger. This all sounds far fetched but it not. Nothing is more important than the strongest possible measures to stop the harm and promote recovery. It makes me weep to think how close we are to the grossest dereliction of our duty to the world and ourselves. "

Penny

Scottish Borders

" There is so much to love about Scotland's nature. The hills, the glens, the forests, the lochs: what a magnificent landscape! It is stunningly beautiful but it could be so much better. We need more rewilding and more bio-diversity to allow nature to reach its full potential. "

Dave

Bradford

" In remote areas I've seen Pine martens, golden eagle and white tailed eagle. Scotland is a big country, so much potential for much more wildlife. "

Janet

Lancashire

" Nature connects us all. Without a healthy environment we cannot thrive. We must act now to protect what we have and to nurture all our futures. "

Sally

Aberdeenshire

" Nature is so important to me we need to protect our wildlife and natural habitats. "

Matt

Stirling

" Sandeels Corncrakes Oystercatchers Teal Lapwing Arctic Hare Natterjack Dolphins Nature is Scotland. "

Devinder

Aberdeen

" We are so lucky to live in one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Nature is important to me because no matter how stressed or worried I feel, I can find a green space near my home and breath fresh air, see running water and enjoy wildlife. "

Rebecca

Edinburgh

" Just go to Carrifran near Moffat and you will see. "

Christoph

Edinburgh

" No nature, no life "

Michele

Mid Wales

" Without nature, we are nothing… "

Ann

Greenwich

" There's nothing more beautiful than Scottish nature. We have visited Edinbrough zoo and the Highlands a few times and the scenery is absolutely breath taking. The air feels crisper and cleaner than in England as well. I keep myself updated on the reintroduction of the Scottish wild cat, the amazing wildlife Scotland already has and the talks of other species being reintroduced as well. "

Emma

County Durham

" Protecting and enhancing nature is vitally important. Our natural environment is already depleted, and further and ongoing pressures can only speed up the degradation. We rely on the natural world for everything, and it provides so much for us - why can't we return the gift by working hard to restore it? "

Katherine

Aberdeenshire

" Walking in the countryside and in an old mill-owner 's estate around my local area is a fantastic way for my community to relax, exercise and get close to the natural world in every season. Chiffchaffs & bluebells in the Spring , fieldfares & fabulous fungi in the Autumn. Residents , farmers & politcians need to work with nature to preserve and to increase our wonderful biodiversity. "

Pauline

Renfrewshire

" Scotland is a beautiful country and the further I travel the more I love coming back to this country. The lochs, the sea, the islands, the heather, the hills and mountains and even our unpredictable weather make Scotland unique. The colour palette of the sky and the landscape is ever changing, no one place remains quite the same for long. Protect and treasure our land, wildlife, trees and plants, birds and insects. We are all one with nature. "

Marion

Ayrshire

" There is nothing like Scotlands wild nature, it must be protected for the benefit of all animals , people and bio diversity, there is no reason not to. "

Gail

Lincolnshire

" I WAS BROUGHT UP IN SCOTLAND, WEST COAST, ON THE CLYDE, WORKED IN LONDON, MANCHESTER, RUNCORN, AND LIVED ON MY CANAL BOAT FOR MANY YEARS. CAME HOME TO NURSE MY MUM AND THEN DAD, AND AFTER THEIR DEATH MOVED, 31 YEARS AGO - TO FIFE, ON THE FORTH. SOPENT MANY YEARS EXPLORING THE FAR NORTH AND THE ISLANDS WITH DOGS IN TINY CAMPER VAN. NOW IN MY 8OS, AM HAPPY TO SETTLE IN PITTENWEEM, SURROUNDED BY ENDKLESSLY HEALING AND STIMULATING WONDERFUL NATURE. THANK YOU FOR DOING ALL YOU CAN TO KEEP US SAFE FROM EVER ENCROACHING GLOBAL WARMING. JANICE. "

JANICE

Fife

" It is over 100 years since John Burroughs, the American naturalist, wrote “I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put together.” We need to heed these words more then ever today. "

Graham

Lanarkshire

" Nature is good for our health and wellbeing. It underpins our society in ways that are not obvious. Any civilised society must respect the environment and look after our nature tom benefit future generations.. "

Andy

The Highlands

" Home is where the heart is and with a strong vivid nature contextualising our homes the heart remains strong…When the walls are weakened and the context depleted and diminished; so follow the hearts…downhill and downwind "

Andrew

The Highlands

" The natural world is a complex interdependence of all life. Maintaining its balance will ensure the future of food production, the health of our environment, and our own physical and mental well-being "

Sandra

Dumfries and Galloway

" It is unique and beautiful. It is where we come from and where we return to. It is our solace and our sustenance. Ruin it and we ruin ourselves too. Don't punish things for the crime of being small! "

Amy

Argyll and Bute

" Nature is important for mental and physical health at all ages. It is in trouble because the efforts to combat climate change are not happening fast enough, and there are too many competing priorities that need financing. Without nature we lose our culture, mythology, part of what makes us human. It must remain a priority for all of us, and not rely too heavily on the voluntary sector. "

Elisabeth

Moray

" My family and I enjoy visiting Scotland mainly because of the magnificant natural environment including underwater exploration. "

Graham

" We are nothing without nature. The wild world supports every aspect of our life from the food we eat to the air we breathe. Nature is vital for mental and physical wellbeing. Improved high quality nature improves our resilience as a human race. "

Robyn

Outer Hebrides

" Can you imagine living in a world with no flowers, trees, birds and wild animals? "

Guy

Edinburgh

" Without nature we have no future for our children and our children’s children. Keep Scotland beautiful and protect the world we live in! "

Renate

Argyll and Bute

" I’ve loved being in nature all my life but now that I’m a senior citizen with its attendant aliments I value it even more. It distracts me from immediate problems and provides welcome calm. "

Tony

The Highlands

" For wildlife itself, for mental health, for physical heath, for people old and young, for future generations, for understanding, for joy, for happiness & contentment, for the point of living. We need wildlife. Please protect it. Thank you "

Jillian

Fife

" Nature is the place where I feel calm, free from judgement and where I can truly be myself. The irony is, the disappearance of very place where I feel happy and healthy, is causing me to be unhappier and unhealthier. Please do all you can to save what's left. We all know that nature is good for people and communities, there is no arguing against that. It's also home to the wonderful non-humans who we are privileged to share our planet with. Scotland's nature must be a priority because it makes so much sense. "

Alex

Perth and Kinross

" I feel really blessed to live in the Scottish Borders. From the back of my house I can see the Eildon Hills. If I walk from my front door I can soon be on a back road between fields where now the first lambs are gambling. Whenever my spirits are low, all I need to do is set off on that walk. The signs of nature - green fields, buds in the hedges, the fresh scents of spring, the peaceful silence - are all healing and bring joy. We must preserve all this for ourselves and for the wildlife that needs its habitat. "

Anne Jessamy

Scottish Borders

" We are not separate from nature and we are at our best when we nuture that connection instead of denying it. Scotland's natural resources are world-renowned yet so depleted. Nature must be our priority going forwards, for the sake of our planet, our selves, and our descendents. "

Fiona

Fife

" Humans need nature for mental and physical health. From simple things like allowing daisies and flowers to grow in public grass areas to sustaining healthy diverse ecosystems, Scotland's natural heritage is part of a sustainable economy and healthy, happier nation. "

Ruth

Midlothian

" Nature and wildlife is vital for my health and wellbeing as well as that of many others. Nature should also be protected for it's intrinsic value and right to exist alongside us. We are losing species and habitats far too quickly, one of my biggest fears is the thought that if I have children they may not hear choruses of birds singing in the spring or watch foxes playing in fields in the summer. It would be a tragedy to lose these things so action has to be taken urgently. "

Olivia

Lothian

" I would not be alive without nature, and I'm certainly not the only one for whom nature has saved their mental health! Scotland has amazing wildlife and nature, but we are at risk of losing it through it being deprioritised/neglected. It is essential we look after what we have, and indeed look to helping nature and wildlife recover, in the many places where it is being and has already been lost. Please, prioritise nature recovery. We forget we are part of nature too and by neglecting it, we are neglecting ourselves! "

Mairéad

Stirling

" Scotland's nature is important as it improves people's mental and physical health and wellbeing within the local area. It also helps to enhance the beauty of the area and is a home for many species of wildlife who wouldn't have a home without it. "

Madeleine

Ayrshire

" One of my greatest joys is seeing and hearing the first bumble bee of the year. Hearing the oyster catchers, the buzzard calling, the sight and smell of winter, spring, summer and autumn, with nature as it is intended. The first tree buds, the last leaf to fall, a glimpse of a red squirrel, a pine marten, an otter, a seal, a weasel or stoat, a hare, the wild flowers and the precious hedgerows. In short, the sound and sight of nature, too precious to ignore, too wonderful not to help. Everytree and blade of grass needs our understanding. "

Wendy

Dumfries and Galloway

" We need to stop the destruction of habitat and indeed the resulting destruction of society. We are in nature's garden doing damage, it is not in ours. Way past time to right many wrongs when it comes to nature, countryside and life's priorities "

Mark

Midlothian

" Nature brings peace and joy to humanity. Nature is part of us as we are part of it, therefore we need to nurture it not destroy it. Help it thrive so that we thrive "

Elizabeth

Dundee

" You must ensure the safety of Flora and Fauna in Scotland. It all benefits each other. "

Cathryn

" Scotland's nature is declining. We must do all we can to protect what is left. Save places that are special and make room for nature. "

R

The Highlands

" As I see it, we have all played a part in harming Scotlands nature and its cycle of life. We are inadvertently destroying the very thing that brings us all together. Nature is suffering because it is being abused and interfered with by people. We need to respect nature and care for it as we would a sick child or it will be too late. "

Peter

The Highlands

" If we dont protect nature then we will have no future "

Sue

Edinburgh

" Looking after nature is so important for both people and the planet. Spending time in nature has been shown to improve people’s mental health. For far too long we have stripped the earth’s resources, driving species to extinction and drastically reducing others. Now is the time to look after what we have left and try and restore our beautiful countryside. "

Alison

Perth and Kinross

" I have spent the last 23 years enjoying and sharing the wonders of Scotland.s nature, habitats and wildlife through my wildlife safaris. I have seen the joy and happiness that watching wildlife in beautiful surroundings can bring. It is worth protecting and improving for the future generations to enjoy... "

Stephen

The Highlands

" I love Scotland's nature because I grew up on the edge of a forest and it has been integral to who am I as a person. Scotland's nature is a second home to me - a place of beauty, comfort and healing. I am deeply concerned about the loss of nature I am witnessing at a local, and wider, level in Scotland and the effect this is having on the people who live here. I sincerely ask you to please do all you can to protect it. "

Eloise

Aberdeenshire

" Nature and humanity are interdependent. One cannot flourish without the other. Protecting Nature is vital to our very existence- we must step up and work for its renewal and betterment. Action for Nature now please!! "

Patricia

Lanarkshire

" Nature sustains our very existence and yet it is struggling, in large part due to the poor and reckless choices made by humans. We need to protect it before more irreversible damage is done. "

Paul

Lanarkshire

" I would love to know that our beautiful coastline, forests and mountains will be safeguarded for my great grandchildren to enjoy as I have for over eighty years "

Caroline

Edinburgh

" We need our nature for (natural) plant fertilization, so we and animals can eat. Having natural green spaces is extremely important for all living beings. "

Rosemarie

Central Scotland

" I work as an eco-therapist with charities in Edinburgh, connecting people with nature for their mental health. We need nature for our sanity. It must be protected. "

Stephen

Midlothian

" Dear MSP Did you know you're a part of nature? An integral part of nature - all living things on this planet we call home. But nature is under threat from human nature and the misconception that we humans think we can manipulate and manage nature. Please ensure that the Natural Environment Bill is a strong Bill with strong targets for nature recovery. "

Neil

Glasgow

" In 30 years the birds in my Edinburgh garden have gone from riotous song to a few lone plaintive voices. We need to address this sad loss of diversity. "

Eileen

Edinburgh

" Human beings are part of nature, and there's more and more evidence and knowledge how similar other creatures are to ourselves and how much really connects us. Without helping nature to recover from the exploitation she has been and still is subjected to, we'll ultimately destroy ourselves as well. For me, personally, being out in nature and at times experiencing the trust of a wild creature, gives me the joyful feeling of belonging together. "

Heike

Shetland

" During the pandemic, my garden and walking in nature, made life worth living, we need to give nature a helping hand. "

Marion

Aberdeen

" Nature cannot be considered a 'nice to have' or a 'non-essential'. It's at the core of Scotland's identity, has huge benefits to our health and wellbeing, helps to build resilient communities, and is vital for a positive, liveable future that we can be proud of. Please take it seriously - nature can be a source of pride for Scotland, but only if we truly look after it. "

Emily

Lothian

" It is the wild beauty, and the softer countryside, the colours of the changing seasons and weather that create the overall beauty of Scotland and all its wild creatures whether they live on the land or in or above the waters. The natural Scotland must be protected, it is a very special place. "

Jacqueline

County Durham

" I live in a tiny hamlet, with very "ordinary" countryside. At the start of lockdown I started a wildlife blog for local people, just about what I was seeing in our local area. 5 years later I still write information and everyone in the community loves our "ordinary" wildlife. It is vital for everyone to have areas close to home to enjoy wildlife. There is scientific evidence of the importance of wild places for people's physical and mental health, and I have first hand knowledge of how important it is to everyone in the community. "

Alison

Fife

" I was brought up in the highlands and loved walking in the highlands. At the time I thought that I was in wild nature, but since visiting areas such as Glen Affric I am now aware that I was really looking at a bit of an over grazed desert. How magnificent the Scottish countryside could be with correct stewardship to aid recovery, would it not be fantastic to be proud of what we can achieve, a chance to lead the UK and Europe if we are forward thinking. "

Ray

The Highlands

" i love nature because it's the animals' only home - we must preserve it "

Jennifer

Westminster

" Nature is beautiful. Ugliness appears when we destroy nature. We are part of nature and our love for animals and flowers is essential to our very existence. We have destroyed large areas of nature for our sakes and the sake of our planet, which we share with so many plants and animals, it is surely time to stop the destruction and start the re-creation of what has been lost "

Andrew

Fife

" Scotland is a beautiful country but the continuing loss of biodiversity threatens the very essence of what drives us to go out and explore the wonders of the natural world. Locally we have noticed loss of lapwings, curlew and yellowhammer - and with them the joy/excitement they provide. "

brenda

Ayrshire

" Protecting Scotland's nature will ensure that my grand children and future generations can experience breathtaking landscapes, wonderful wildlife and our magnificant seas. We are all part of nature and are affected by its depletion. "

Donna

Tayside

" Once it is gone it never returns. "

gary

Horsham

" Nature is crucial for wellbeing and provides habitats for wildlife "

Lynne

Sussex

" Everything is inter-linked, the environment, our health,the health of the land. Without hedges and cover for birds there are no birds. Birds feed their young on horticultural and agricultural pests. Harmful pesticides get into the food chain and poison the pests birds feed their young and pollinators which are vital to crops. We must have balance and more organic methods,fertilisers and pesticides. Natural predators should be encouraged, not destroyed. "

Lesley

Fife

" We humans are part of Nature, not apart from it. Our very existence depends upon restoring Nature in Scotland and across the globe. It's vital that we do everything we can and do it now! "

David

North Lanarkshire

" Scotland’s nature is in our care. We need to respect and protect it in all its forms. We need this for a healthy environment to live in. To grow our food we need the balance of insects plants and animals ( including us) to be just right. Our way forward must also include climate resilience as our climate is changing. "

Noel

Aberdeenshire

" I help run a charity for children with learning needs . The charity runs a garden and uses the skills of a therapeutic gardener. The children their in open space as do the wildlife . We need more of this for everyone. "

Christina

Lothian

" I don't want my grandchildren to forget what trees and flowers and insects look like! We must, especially, ensure a healthy environment for pollinating insects "

Patricia

Midlothian

" "I’m truly sorry Man’s dominion Has broken Nature’s social union", Robert Burns, 1785 Sadly truer than ever. "

Kathryn

Edinburgh

" Scotland’s nature is an important part of my daily life. Whether it’s a walk by the sea or a stroll through green spaces, these moments help me recharge and appreciate the beautiful country we’re lucky to call home. A healthy environment is essential for our own health and wellbeing, which is why setting strong nature recovery targets and protecting biodiversity is so important for both people and the planet! "

Fiona

Edinburgh

" There is so many little pieces of natural heaven that are under threat in Scotland. Unfortunately, the moors and green fields I played in as a child, in East Kilbride, are long gone. Curlews, red grouse, cuckoo's and yellowhammers gone with the land. With care and thoughtful planning I feel we can still make space for nature. During covid so many people obtained great benefit from our green spaces. "

David

Greater Manchester

" Scotland is once of the least biodiverse countries - it needs help to recover. "

Marian

Perth and Kinross

" It is essential to save nature and biodiversity. EVERYTHING depends on it. There is no use for wealth if there is no nature to sustain us. "

Jane

Dumfries and Galloway

" We ARE Nature. If we disconnect from the rest of it we will be bereft and depleted. "

Kay

Renfrewshire

" I thrive because of Nature. I swim and feel refreshed in clean water ( some of the time). I walk through woods with hidden wildlife, startled deer and wings flapping on wind-shaking leaves and squeaking limbs. Wild flowers sprinkling colour where you least expect it. This IS NATURE. I couldn't go on without it -it's what makes life go on and gives me Hope. Please, let's all look after it. "

Heather

Tayside

" Nature is free for people to enjoy. Using/ caring for it. It is proven to promote people’s mental and physical well-being - lowering demands on NHS…. Making connections and actually achieving joined up thinking in relation to the value of nature to our economy , beyond agriculture and forestry, are paramount, and conserving and educating future generations about our natural heritage should be our top priority . "

Lynnette

Perth and Kinross

" Why do we treat nature as a separate state? We are nature, we mistreat nature, we mistreat ourselves. The creatures were on this earth before we were and deserve to be treated with respect and consideration. No nature, no us. "

Lisbeth

Lothian

" We all need nature as it is a form of medicine. As a disabled person and wheelchair user I enjoy the benefits of being in the fresh air. I also enjoy the calming effects of our woodlands and the plants and animals that they support. "

Donald

Glasgow

" I have been feeding hedgehogs in my garden for 24 years and feeding the birds for 32 years. I want my granddaughter to be able to do the same so we must look after nature and the environment. "

Laraine

Lothian

" Scotland's nature is spectacular, precious, and should be protected at all costs. "

Lisa

Glasgow

" Scotland is a beautiful place and nature must be preserved "

Susan

Rochdale

" The time is now to protect nature or we will surely regret it . "

Isabel

North Lanarkshire

" It's time we came together and realised what a essential asset our environment is and took steps to protect and enhance the natural world. "

Derek

Huntingdonshire

" I would be nothing without a daily connection to nature. "

Keith

Edinburgh

" 5Our natural environment is valuable in itself as part of the varied tapestry of creation. Furthermore, it underpins our physical and mental wellbeing: damage to our natural environment rebounds on us. Something I have personally noted it a decline in insects including bees, making our local environment less supportive of some of our migrant birds such as house martins and willow warblers. I look forward to legislation which will guarantee protection of our natural environment and native species of fauna and flora. "

Edwin

Fife

" We should be restoring our woodlands and all wild areas along with reintroducing lost wildlife This should be done with more than lots of volunteers and the government should be more proactive. Instead of cutting the funding to our national parks they should be increasing it and creating more jobs for local people "

DAVID MONCRIEFF

Ayrshire

" Nature is good for the soul, doctors prescribe walking in nature to patients especially those with mental health issues. As elected members of the Scottish parliment you should be doing everything you can to protect Scotlands nature, land, air and waters. As a nation we aren't for sale to any Tom, DONALD or Harry!! Stand up and be counted for Scotland's Nature. "

Martyn

The Highlands

" I love Scotland because it's the only place in the UK where you can feel like you're in true wilderness. Yet at the same time the wild spaces are so nature deleted, and the majority of native Scottish wild animals are critically endangered. Please help restore wildlife to Scotland before we lose it forever. "

Alex

Edinburgh

" Prioritise and protect Scotland’s incredible diversity of nature now! Do not wait till it is too late. "

Grahame

Lothian

" Not only do we need to protect our depleted natural places & the biodiversity we need to desperately create more. So much habitat is being lost. For the sake of all our wildlife, us all & our life support system (planet Earth) but right now we need to fight for & concentrate on our wild places on our doorstep, here in Scotland "

Catriona

Scottish Borders

" Our beautiful nature is what makes Scotland so special. It's a part of us and we are a part of it; protecting nature is protecting ourselves. "

Elizabeth

Aberdeen

" Please take care of our wildlife as soon we will have nothing. We have done so much damage over the years and this has to stop. Please help with whatever you can to help our planet. Thank you. "

Julie

Essex

" We are part of the natural world. We depend on healthy ecosystems for our own health. We need MEANINGFUL targets for restoring balance in nature, providinging habitats for all species. This must be done alongside ensuring food sovereignty for Scotland. Farmers are becoming an endangered species and they and their land must be protected too. "

Gillian

Lothian

" My family has spent many happy hours around Kinlocheil, canoeing on the loch, wandering across ther hills and visiting the nearby coast. The wildlife that we observed was much valued and we would like the next generation to be able to enjoy similar experiences. Please do everything you can to preserve the local ecology for our grandchildren and subsequent generations. "

Leslye-Jane

Stafford

" Scotland provides one of the very few true opportunities for helping wildlife and provide access to wild natural landscapes. Let's not miss this opportunity as we have done with so many others. "

Chris

Kent

" This decline in bird, fish and animal numbers in Movern is horrifying. We only hope that making a difference such as restoring the native woodlands and seabed, such as oyster extortion or sea grasses will reverse the change. "

Joanna

The Highlands

" Nature is on the brink right now, it's a terrifying thought, we can't live without nature but we will find out the hard way! "

ANGELA

Central Scotland

" Too often, modern society is careless when it comes to being considerate of the detrimental effects upon the natural world that the rush to develop and 'improve' our lifestyles can have. Please can you use your powers to ensure that Nature is given a helping hand in its increasingly difficult struggle to maintain its place in the face of indifference and even hostility from those who really know better. "

Graeme

Edinburgh

" Nature Bill is needed urgently. Our health and wellbeing Our very existence Many thanks for taking this seriously Kindest Regards "

Gabz

Edinburgh

" It is an essential part of out lives and everyone needs to get out and enjoy and be part of it and help to encourage it. Children especially need to understand it and value it's affects on their and everyone else's lives and happiness. "

Catherine

Edinburgh

" Scotland is OUR NATURAL HERITAGE and MUST be looked after with sustainable development to guarantee a healthy future for our children in perpetuity! "

P E

Aberdeenshire

" Humans are part of nature, inextricably interlinked, and we all have a right to live on this beautiful, wonderful planet "

Tamsin

Perth and Kinross

" I love walking in our peat tracks, over our hills and beautiful trails and countryside. Please preserve this so future generations can enjoy the same experiences "

Ian

Orkney

" Nature gives me great joy especially at this time of year after the cold dark winter months the trees and flowers are awakening and the bird song is increasing as the breeding season approaches. It is important to protect our wildlife habitats for now and future generations. "

Judith

Stockport

" Without nature where would we be? "

Bess

" Nature is vital in the world just now. It is great for people struggling with mental health, and it is uplifting and inspiring for us all. We need to protect Gods creation. It is up to all of us to help it thrive, and also for future generations to enjoy. "

Carole

Ayrshire

" Despite lots of space, Scotland is one of the most nature depleted countries in Europe. "

Eileen

Somerset

" Access to nature is so critical to our health as a nation, we must work together to halt the loss and allow nature to thrive. "

Sam

Edinburgh

" Our severely depleted ecology needs to be nurtured back to health. Urgently. "

Josephine

Edinburgh

" It is vital to take care of our countryside and wildlife, including our coastal waters. "

Alexander

Fife

" there are very few wild places left in our country and we need to keep them, for nature and for our sanity and wellbeing. "

catharine

Sheffield

" Over the past few years, I've suffered badly with severe mental health issues. Connecting with nature has been a lifesaver for me. I know I'm not alone in experiencing this. More than ever, I believe we need to do all we can to regenerate and protect Scotland's beautiful natural environment. And we need to act now! Thanks "

Eon

Dunbartonshire

" Don’t all the other species that inhabit the Scottish lands deserve more care in the face of tourism growth? Let’s protect the very things people are coming to see! "

Simon

Edinburgh

" Please refrain from interfering with Scotland's few remaining wild, green spaces. These places offer people a chance to escape from urban, over developed environments. Tranquil, natural environments are beneficial to mental health. Wildlife also thrive in these areas if they are protected from persecution. "

Jennifer

Lothian

" We're privileged to live in a beautiful and mostly unspoiled country with a fantastic variety of different habitats and terrains. My family and I have had, and continue to have some wonderful experiences travelling through and exploring the many different natural locations in Scotland. It's critical that these spaces are not just preserved but enhanced as many have suffered habitat and species loss through the years. Please ensure that the necessary protection is provided in the new bill - marine habitats as well as land based. "

Steve

Ayrshire

" We take nature for granted in Scotland and should do more to protect it so we can still jaunt into the hills, wild swim in the lochs, and enjoy unspoiled views. But we neee to do our bit for the renewables progress to net Zero by building more wind farms, more solar panels, and harnessing more power from hydro. We are a country that thrives off and has adapted to survive alongside the harshest of elements and we should use this to our advantage - it’s in our DNA to be hardy but our environment can be delicate too and we need to take care. "

Alice

Edinburgh

" Scotland is a unique and beautiful country that we all have such pride in, we need to protect and celebrate it. I want my daughters and their children to be able to enjoy the natural landscape - we need to act to protect our children and our precious world. "

Alex

Edinburgh

" Scotland has always taken the lead in UK nature conversation. This has been to the immense benefit of its people and also draws in millions of visitors from around the world. Please do everything to keep it that way. "

Ian

Somerset

" Our natural beauty of Scotland is under threat. It's been keeping me sane and healthy during very difficult times and we must protect it "

Anna

Falkirk

" I wish for a greener future especially for my grandchildren. So can we please have sensible conversations with a sensible outcomes for our country and the planet. "

Andrew

Fife

" Living in West Wales I have seen the decline in nature. We have been regular visitors to Scotland and come to enjoy the varied wildlife. Hopefully helping the local economies of the areas we visit. Please act now and don’t let Scotland become one of the most depleted wildlife areas like here in Wales. Thank you! "

Mike

Pembrokeshire

" Nature is Scotland's greatest treasure! "

Bob

Oxfordshire

" Nature is not a hobby, it is not just something that gets along uninterrupted. Nature is incredible but needs our help - positive help. Nature can make us so very contented and amazed but losing it at the current rate can also have devastating effects not just on our wildlife and habitats but in our mental state. I suffer greatly from eco-anxiety as do millions. Please lets turn this around and rescue our natural world. It is this natural cycle involving habitats and wildlife that forms and protects our planet and gives us all life. "

cally

Aberdeenshire

" Scotland is one of the most nature depleted countries in the world and this needs to change. To invest in nature restoration is to invest in our future and our children's future. Scotland has the potential to lead the way, but only with sensible policies and leadership - make us proud..... "

Fraser

Edinburgh

" Living in the big city would be unbearable without green spaces. Every time the crowded atmosphere gets to me, I go on a long walk in a park. The sight of nature - trees, birds, flowers - never fails to get me out of a mental rut. I sincerely believe that without nature that is nourished and cared for, we will all die. It is our duty to preserve this beautiful country and leave it better than we found it. "

Alex

Edinburgh

" Nature is very essence of our existence, upset the balance and the whole shebang will cascade into disaster. We have time..with determination to change the headlong plummet to catastrophe But only if we do it concertedly NOW. "

Sue

Moray

" As an octogenarian I despair at the way the natural environment is being despoiled and denuded. Even in my own modest garden I have noticed a huge decline in insects and bugs of all description over the years. On a wider scale, the exploitation and despoilation of the natural world for profit seems unstoppable unless the Government takes a sincere and committed stand in its defence. I fear for the world in which my grand-children are growing up. in.will grow up in "

David

Edinburgh

" It's the only attractive thing about Scotland that keeps people coming back year after year. So look after it. "

Grace

Lincolnshire

" Trees are the 'lungs' of the earth and also provide sanctuary to a host of animals, birds and insects. So many are being felled for 'progress'. In my case all trees on the Inverness railway line. I understand trees need to managed for safety reasons but surely can be pruned and not taken down to ground level. "

Sallie

Perth and Kinross

" Nature in all its forms is not an option its fundamental to our existence. It should therefore be given its true place as a wonderful priceless gift that should be respected and protected. "

Anne

Moray

" Scotland's nature matters, because without it, there is no Scotland !! It's magnificence is the reason millions of people from across the world visit, which brings great financial benefit to the country. More importantly, nature is full of beauty which brings delight to all. "

Louise

Renfrewshire

" Scotlands scenery is beautiful and has a large part to play in the world’s climate. Lots of scotlands forests have been decimated and need to be reverted to how they should be to help fight climate change. "

Robin

Fife

" Scotland's Nature means everything to me! I have lived most of my life near cities, and every January/February I would get a chest infection. When I moved to rural Scotland 13 years ago, the chest infections stopped. I love walking the hills and seeing the wildlife in its natural environment. The COVID-19 lockdown was devastating, but it gave nature time to recover. Don't take that away. "

Denise Elizabeth

Ayrshire

" Over the last 200-300 years we have allowed Scotland wildlife to be decimated. This had to stop and we need you to stop it now. It’s a disgrace how ineffective politicians have been and still are on this subject. Even our restricted and protected marine areas are being plundered every and you nothing about it!! . "

Brian

Stirling

" Nature matters, nature is essential to our existence, nature helps climate change, and far too many species of flora and fauna are extinct, nearly so or on the at risk list. For goodness sake. "

Alexander

Lanarkshire

" Scotland is our beautiful homeland. But Scottish nature is struggling. It is vital that we react and help right now before it is too late. Please listen. "

Anne

Edinburgh

" Let's protect this planet and each other...!! "

Shifu

Glasgow

" It is as simple as this:- Humankind needs nature for its survival. Nature only needs humankind to stop damaging it for it to survive. The irony is nature can exist without us we can not exist without nature! So why does humankind persist with damaging nature? "

Steven

Stirling

" The benefits of "getting outside" is widely accepted as being good for our physical and mental health - it has been for mine. We ned to start restoring the natural environment that we have taken for granted for so long. The Natural Environment Bill is an excellent start, but please make sure appropriate enforcement and follow up is implemented. "

Owen

Stirling

" with the way the world is today, we need nature more than ever as a calming solution to our anxiety, depression etc. i love it so much that when i die, apart from my pets, it is NATURE i will miss so much. so please don't wait, do something NOW to help nature thrive. "

Carole

North Lanarkshire

" The human species is part of nature and we depend on it entirely. Yet around the world people are polluting and destroying natural habitats and species. Scotland should be ensuring that strong targets for protecting and enhancing nature are enshrined in our political system. "

Irene

The Highlands

" we only have one planet .WE must preserve it for my grandchildren . "

Cait

Edinburgh

" Nature is at the heart of my wellbeing. Daily walks into nature mean the world to me and I find huge creative inspiration from being in the outdoors. This then filters through my creative work as an artist. There's so much scope to improve and we should take this seriously as there are massive benefits for humans and wildlife. "

Jonathan

Moray

" We really need to do something about the bumblebee population, 2024 (I have read in several articles) was the worst on record. They are a vital part of our ecosystem, and only need flowers, preferably dandelions early in the year for food and water supply, and flowers, water and shelter for the rest of the year. A saucer of water on our windowsill with a pebble to perch on. It's not much to save these creatures. "

Elizabeth

Edinburgh

" The natural world is under threat, and we need to do all we can to protect it. There is ample evidence to show that mental health is improved by contact with nature. Action is needed and now "

john

Perth and Kinross

" We simply must work in harmony with nature to preserve the remaining species and provide the best possible future for future generations "

Stephen

Dumfries and Galloway

" Air quality is essential for Nature to flourish. My garden and my local parks both depend on good air quality to thrive. I too need very good air quality for my health and wellbeing. "

Audrey

Edinburgh

" From Scots pine, to Ptarmigans, to Capercaillie, to Scottish Wildcats, to Atlantic Salmon; Scotland's nature is one of a kind. However, species are declining and nature is at risk. We want to see Scotland thrive in nature for all of us to enjoy, now and in the future. It is ours and our leaders responsibility to make this happen, so let's shout out loud together for nature. "

Leigh

" I have always loved wildlife and being in wild places and count myself very fortunate to live in rural Aberdeenshire. I am a biologist, nature photographer and writer. But the fact is that we all need a healthy natural environment, even those who think they have no interest in nature are entirely dependent on it. We must stop and reverse the damage to the planet. I am trying to do my best managing my little 4 acre nature reserve, the Scottish Government needs to take the lead for the country and work with other nations for the whole planet "

genevieve

Aberdeenshire

" If nature dies,we all die. "

Hazel

Lothian

" Scotland is beautiful. Let's keep it that way and even better. "

Jacky

Oxfordshire

" Scotland’s nature is a personal joy. Not only is it an ongoing festival of life and beauty, it has for me, been a healer. I have suffered from mental health issues and the sound of a burn, or birdsong, or light playing through trees and many other natural things, have been a balm. It’s important to protect it our nature. The future must be respected and valued in the face of change. Not for profit, or the power of individuals but for us all and our nature itself. "

Derek

Lanarkshire

" Without restored nature and bio diversity there is no future for any of us. Please make Scotland beautiful again. "

John

Greater Manchester

" I live on my own in a lovely part of Scotland, the sea on my doorstep and lovely hinterland. Birds and flowers keep me interested when I am out and always lift my spirits. I realise how lucky I am. "

Ann

The Highlands

" I feel a deep sense of peace being in nature. I feel pride in our country when I take in its beauty. I feel part of something bigger in nature. Please protect it. "

Elizabeth

Stirling

" As the only part of the UK where it is possible to walk everywhere (with sensible exceptions) whenever we like, we value this freedom and all the plants and animals we see while walking "

Zoe

Central Scotland

" I’m so worried about the general disregard for the natural environment, and the decline of countless species of animals, plants and insects. Please help! "

Iain

Tayside

" Scotland has magnificent forests, mountains and lochs. We also have rare animals like pine martens, red squirrels, golden eagles and wildcats which don't do as well elsewhere in the UK. But we need to leave space for nature to keep the ecosystem in balance. "

Julia

Aberdeenshire

" Recovery is so quick given a chance but we need to act now. "

Pinkie

Argyll and Bute

" Scotland's true character is in the nature we have here. The hardy heather in the hills, the ancient trees, the sunny flowers in the gorse bushes all make Scotland what it is. Getting outside and seeing Scotland's nature thriving is essential for me, and others, to maintain good mental health. Please make sure every decision you make is one which will protect and enhance the diversity and longevity of our stunning country's environment "

Jessica

Fife

" Time in nature has been proven to be good for our health. It can reduce depression, stress and anger and make you feel better in yourself. Listening to bird song or watching butterflies is such a relaxing thing for me to do and the thought of that diminishing is uncomfortable. However, the UK is the most nature depleted area in the world and it's getting more difficult to find the birdsong and butterflies. We urgently need to reverse this downward trend and restore nature to its full glory. "

Audrey

The Highlands

" It's so uplifting! Even 5 minutes in a natural environment boosts my sense of wonder and wellbeing. "

Celia

Edinburgh

" The reason I moved here is because of the scenic views and the quietness. Scotland's nature is unmatched. I wouldn't want t any other way. The pollution levels are good. the water quality is amazing. I love going to the parks, but recently due to lack of funding you can see the quality of parks degrading which is a shame and we need to protect them!! "

Aaliya

Glasgow

" We are nature…..we are destroying ourselves "

Jean

Ayrshire

" Without nature...... We have nothing..... It's in our soul...... We simply need nature....... "

Paul

Ayrshire

" Every child should have the thrill of seeing wild creatures, be they minute insects found in undergrowth, birds - native and migrants, blossom and leaves on trees as Spring approaches each year and rivers and waterways that provide homes for our fish, newts and the abundance of areators providing nurtients and oxygen. Please enusre that our future generations have the opportunity to enjoy the richness of nature that has filled my life. "

Linda

Perth and Kinross

" It's precious and needs to be protected. "

Ed

Hampshire

" Without nature we are nothing. "

Saranne

The Highlands

" I care about Scotland’s nature and want to see a thriving ecosystem that supports people and wildlife. "

Laura

Edinburgh

" because it's unique "

Annette

Edinburgh

" The real question really should be who doesn't love nature it is the life support system for a planet and are very lives are dependant on it. It's a source of inspiration and peace for so many people and in a world that seems to be in a rush and all about money is one of the few non-commercial spaces left to us enjoy "

Michael

Central Scotland

" If we continue to make it impossible for other species to survive in this world, we are dooming the human race. "

Erin

Edinburgh

" Being out in the natural world keeps me sane. That’s a personal thing - but clean air, clean soil, a healthy ecosystem when animals, plants, trees can thrive is crucial for our planet and future generations. Climate change must be controlled in order that we might live in peace and harmony with our beautiful world. "

Barbara

Perth and Kinross

" Its vital and beautiful "

shirley

Birmingham

" We all need Scotland’s habitats and wildlife to be protected to help ensure Scottish biodiversity is preserved for future generations. This includes not allowing any more golf course course developments that threaten important SSSI sites "

Steve

" I did my PhD on avian ecology at Glasgow, and since then moved back to Scotland to study the Wildcat. Illness has prevented some of that but the magnificence of the landscape and the POSSIBILITY of increasing the wildlife component has made the move worthwhile. But it won't happen unless serious protection is put in place, and that is down to the politicians, such as you! Thanks Richard "

Richard

The Highlands

" Nature is a very important part of our daily lives & should be a priority of government to help us with our mental health& help to keep nature alive & well. "

Helen

Edinburgh

" As someone who grew up in the far north and am now considered elderly I have seen many things. One of which is the decline in our bird populations over these past 40 years. I travel the A9 regularly and it’s the same all the way from Perth to Wick! We need to do something and do it now. "

Peter

Renfrewshire

" This opportunity to help nature must not be missed. Time to act before it is too late. "

Lorna

Dunbartonshire

" Nature makes me feel calmer and happy. We have such beautiful countryside and parks - these must be preserved at all cost. Please support the countryside bill "

Helen

Fife

" Nature lifts our spirits and keeps us alive. Nature is what makes Scotland special. Damaging nature creates environments that make us physically and mentally ill. "

Elizabeth

Edinburgh

" I love Scotland's nature and am concerned about climate change and its impact on our environment. I am most concerned about our depleted wildlife and think we need to actively work to encourage and protect them. "

Lisa

Edinburgh

" Life wouldn't be worth living without nature! We all need to do our bit to protect and restore it. "

Iain

Scottish Borders

" Scotland is unique. Walking in the wild is part of who we are. We must preserve and grow our wild spaces. Instead we're putting up pylons and supporting grouse landscapes. Let's rewild! "

Nic

Aberdeenshire

" For too long the emphasis has been placed on cities & finance to the detriment of the people as they are slowly removed from nature and become sick both mentally and physically. We are part of nature and need to be! Scotland is a unique and naturally beautiful place and this needs to be encouraged & protected for all our sakes. "

Victoria

Stirling

" As I enter my twilight years I am shocked and saddened .at this relentless attack on wildlife habitats and nature in general. Already things may have gone too far for the generations to come to see, respect and enjoy nature and wildlife as I have. Let us turn this tide of destruction and recklessness and reinstate respect for all of the creatures who inhabit this plant and their right to life. There may just be time to do this and leave some legacy for the generations to come apart for concrete and plastic. "

William

Renfrewshire

" As a cater of a young adult with Autism and significant learning difficulties, I see nature as an essential resource for my wellbeing. The fact that we are one of the most wildlife deprived countries in the world is a source of real concern for me. Please invest in our nature and do not have policies that actually deprive us of nature. "

Martin

Renfrewshire

" Green & protected spaces provide a lifelinefor troubled minds.Not only that, they stimulate curiosity(at alll ages) .pleasure in the sheer beauty of wild life and in the forms of tree & plants and in landscape. Healthy nature is the best things we can pass on to the next generation. "

leonie

Dumfries and Galloway

" The wonderful open spaces, nature, wildlife and environment in Scotland clear my head and help mental health. Please protect and nurture our beautiful country. "

Jim

Lothian

" I live in a Glasgow surburb . I can walk around woodland and a canal from my door and see and hear birds from kingfisher to woodpeckers. A bus or train can take me to country parks near the Campsies,, Trossach hills or Loch Lomond. It is even possible to travel further afield into beautiful countryside . I want these places to continue to be cared for to thrive for everyone including humans "

Carole

Dunbartonshire

" I love nature because it's the source of life, it keeps us grounded and looks after us without asking much in return. When I spend time in nature I always feel better afterwards. I worry a lot about the state of nature because I understand the implications of its collapse and it's simply not something we can afford. "

Cecile

Edinburgh

" We're lucky enough here in Scotland, to be surrounded by the most diverse and beautiful scenery and amazing flora and fauna. It must be preserved for the future, and for the health of the nations people and all animal life "

Maria

Lothian

" If we destroy ‘nature’ we destroy life itself and the planet will be arid. Becoming vegan has made me even more aware of how delicate and precious the ecosystem is. We humans have an ethical responsibility to respect this. "

Audrey

Ayrshire

" We depend on nature for our survival, and we forget that. I love Scotland, I love my children.. I want us all to live in a beautiful, thriving country that looks after it's amazing natural assets and works with nature, not against it. We can do it with the right leadership, commitment and vision, and it will benefit us all. Healthy soil, healthy land and biodiversity from insects to birds to native trees isn't a 'nice to have', it's fundamental. "

Mary

Dumfries and Galloway

" We only have one environment and nature and it is being largely abandoned and damaged. Restoration is essential. "

Michael

Oxfordshire

" With birds, with bees, with hairy knees, let's stand up for nature, please. "

Leslie

The Highlands

" We are nothing without our natural world "

Jean

Northumberland

" I used to travel up to Scotland each year to do volunteer warden work at RSPB Loch Garden. Working in an office it was great to be out in the open with fabulous scenery. It was a fantastic journey each and recharged my internal batteries for the year ahead. You have incredible wildlife and scenery that was worth the trip every time. Nature has incredible healing powers and must be there for all especially as most people are now under more daily stress. "

Paul

Birmingham

" Our countryside and particularly our seas need action now to stem the deterioration. "

David

Argyll and Bute

" I live in Braemar but in the 20 years I have lived here, trees and hedges have been removed in the village and now a Scots Pine wood is being partially removed for housing. These are all refuges for birds and insects and the red-listed Red Squirrel. In addition planning allows gardens to be gravelled over and the use of plastic lawns - these are detrimental to our wildlife. "

Dorothy

Aberdeenshire

" I remember my last holiday in The Cairngorms Scotland. It was amazing and I saw so many species of birds that I will never see elsewhere. Scotland is a haven for wildlife and needs to be protected so that visitors can see the amazing wildlife and bring much needed funds to Scotland "

Nick

Derbyshire

" We need an abundance of bees and healthy soil if we want to eat good healthy food. Nature is everything. It is important not only for its beauty but for the well being of its animals and humans. We must look after it at all costs! "

Eileen

Lanarkshire

" Not only does nature bring us joy - the benefits to our health and wellbeing are being recognised more and more. Nature sustains us, and healthy ecosystems are our first line of defence against climate change. We must heal the damage we have done to it and look after it for ourselves and next generations. "

Martine

Fife

" Hearing the birds singing, watching them in my garden and on the river in Musselburgh, catching occasional sights of mammals while I'm out walking or cycling - these lift my spirits and give me joy. I feel so sorry for people who are so totally absorbed in the online world that they miss these life-enhancing pleasures. "

Jacqueline

Lothian

" Hi We need to restore nature and do more to help wildlife protect them from people harming them we need to teach people more how to get involved with nature to reserve there is far to much damage done I also believe the law needs to be harder when it comes to animals and wildlife we need to plant more not destroyed more habitats. "

Louise

Falkirk

" Nature Matters! Nature brings us joy and underpins everything around us. Without nature we would barely be able to exist. Please support nature so that nature can continue to support us. "

Juliet

Edinburgh

" We need to do everything we can for all creatures and the environment - all dying out, becoming extinct, or at high risk of. Please help look after them. "

Vanessa

County Durham

" Supporting and nurturing nature is critical to our world and needs total support from government "

David

Brighton

" Our future depends on the health of our planet. Our health depends on the future of our planet. Let’s make Scotland a world leader in saving the planet and the diversity of nature that it depends upon "

Wendy

Scottish Borders

" Nature deficit disorder is as yet unaddressed by our education system and most of us have no understanding of the way natural systems work for our benefit. Julie Singleton's paper, "Relationship with Place, a Transformative & Sustainable Pedagogy for the Planet, " suggests engaging students in community-based projects. Cultivating a love for the natural world means we see our environment as a community, not just a commodity. "

Susan

" Nature is crucial to our wellbeing and to our planet. This includes both the land and the sea. Please do all you can to preserve and recover it for all of us. "

Margaret

Moray

" Functioning ecosystem are linked to life on earth. There is no higher priority than safeguarding our existing woodlands and expanding that network across landscapes. No trees No oxygen No life "

Tim

Stirling

" We are part of nature, part of a bigger structure that is interdependent. We all depend on each other in our entire planet. Our fellow creatures and plants have as much right to be here as we do. Their rights should be enshrined in legislation. The right to exist, to thrive and regenerate. We are nothing in the big scheme of things. "

Paula

Edinburgh

" Mixed Tree planting,not Sitka spruce, beaver release, deer culling, some among many measures needed to protect and care for the Scottish landscape and optimise capacity for reducing overall carbon emissions. "

Hilary

York

" My wife and i come to Scotland every year on holiday because of the wild nature. The more rewilding and restoration that happens, the more we visit Scotland to spend our money supporting those projects and local economies. Refusing to rule out bringing back iconic species like the Lynx makes no sense when they can be allies in deer management and further boost local economies in remote areas. "

Alex

Hertfordshire

" Spending time in nature is so important to me, from daily walks with my dog through the local woods, to the singular wonder of seeing Puffins, Kittiwakes and Guillemots on the Isle of May. It gets me through tough days and reminds me we're part of something bigger. Scotland's incredible natural environment is one of our best assets, we really need to be doing so much more to protect it and help it thrive again. "

Ginny

Edinburgh

" Being out in Scotland' s nature makes me feel a calmness I don't get from anything else, and helps put the chaos of modern life into perspective. At the end of the day what matters is that we have clean air and water, healthy soils, thriving ecosystems and the continuation of life. Without action from our leaders, we risk losing all of this, and so much more. "

Morag

Edinburgh

" I love Scotland's nature because it feels like home. The land, the seas, the animals, insects, plants, fungi, everything. It wouldn't be home without them. It's heart-breaking that some of our most-loved species, who have survived for thousands of years here, are now threatened or at risk of extinction. We have a responsibility to protect and restore Scotland's nature, now and forever. "

Andrew

Lothian

" Today's children will be here long after most of us are gone. I want them to live in world where nature and people are thriving and the effects of climate change are as minimal as possible. In Scotland there is huge potential to restore our depleted natural environment. It's our responsibility, and that of the governments we elect, to make this happen. "

Miriam

Edinburgh

" Being out in nature reminds me how small I am and how consequential my actions, and the actions of every other person on earth, are. It reminds me that nature needs positive action and that it is incumbent on us all, and especially our elected politicians, to do everything to restore nature for ourselves and for future generations. "

Deborah

Perth and Kinross