Enabling collaborative landscape management

Collaborative landscape management is the enhancement of ecosystems via combined efforts of multiple farmers and land managers across a landscape. It has potential to help meet Scottish Government targets associated with addressing biodiversity loss and climate change.

This research investigated a variety of models and experiences of collaboration to explore how support for collaborative landscape management in Scotland could be provided. This can help inform how such support may be incorporated in the Agricultural Reform Programme and other relevant policy areas.

Summary of findings on success factors, required support and opportunities

Stakeholders identified the following support needs:

• Coordinated support for collaboration, both across government policies and between government and other stakeholders.
• Facilitation to bring groups together and enable planning, preparation for and implementation of collaborative landscape management approaches. This includes long-term funding and training for facilitators.
• Long-term funding dedicated to incentivising and supporting implementation of collaborative activities. This could include investing in existing collaborative structures. Greater accessibility and flexibility of funding are needed to encourage engagement in collaborative landscape management.
• Encouraging private sector investment to incentivise engagement in collaborative landscape management and enable greater flexibility for context-specific, bespoke projects.
• Training, conferences and knowledge sharing to foster a culture of collaboration.
• Monitoring, evaluation and communication about the benefits of collaborative landscape management approaches.

For further details please read the report.

If you require the report in an alternative format, such as a Word document, please contact info@climatexchange.org.uk or 0131 651 4783.