Ailis Watt
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Ailis Watt
@ailiswatt.bsky.social
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Senior policy officer at RSPB Scotland. Working on protected areas & nature recovery. Views my own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the RSPB
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Ailis Watt @ailiswatt.bsky.social · May 16
This week I gave evidence in the Scottish Parliament on the Natural Environment Bill 🌍 . Listen in 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻
rspbscotland.bsky.social RSPB Scotland @rspbscotland.bsky.social · May 16
The Natural Environment Bill could be a game changer for Scotland's incredible nature. Currently, part of the Bill risks undermining that ambition. Senior Policy Officer Ailis Watt shared why this is unnecessary at an evidence session earlier this week.
ailiswatt.bsky.social
MSPs just voted to pass the Natural Environment Bill - the most significant piece of environmental legislation Scotland has seen for a decade. What an absolute triumph for the species, habitats, and people of Scotland 🌍🌱♥️
rspbscotland.bsky.social RSPB Scotland @rspbscotland.bsky.social · 15d
What a win for nature!

Scotland is the first UK country to have Swift bricks in law – a lifeline for this threatened bird. And, for the first time ever, the Scottish Government must set legally binding nature recovery targets.

Thanks for helping make history with a strong Natural Environment Bill.
January 29, 2026 at 6:35 PM
Reposted by Ailis Watt
rspbscotland.bsky.social
Great news for nature - thanks to you!

It’s confirmed: controversial new powers that threatened Scotland’s most important wildlife protections will not be part of the Natural Environment Bill.

Please add your voice to a final push for a strong bill: action.rspb.org.uk/page/183453/...
A crested tit sits on a lichen covered tree stump looking towards the camera A blue tile with a blue and green chevron banner along the top. The words are a quote and read “The Natural Environment Bill can now act as the turning point that Scotland’s nature so desperately needs. This piece of legislation can help us move beyond protecting what we have left towards actively restoring nature across Scotland. From the introduction of new legally binding nature restoration targets, to requiring Swift nesting bricks in all new buildings, there is now huge potential to drive nature’s recovery. We are now calling on MSPs to ensure the final Bill is the best it can be by supporting key amendments at the final stage. These include for targets to be set within 12 months of the Bill becoming an Act, and key actions to tackle invasive species”. Ailis Watt, Senior Policy Officer for RSPB Scotland
January 21, 2026 at 12:12 PM
Reposted by Ailis Watt
rspbscotland.bsky.social
Scotland's swifts are in freefall. They need action now.

Yesterday, @scotgov said Swift Bricks don't belong in the Natural Environment Bill. We disagree.

There's still time to back Swift Bricks - email your MSPs now: action.rspb.org.uk/page/181323/...
A close up photo of a Swift's face against a black background
November 20, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Reposted by Ailis Watt
rspbscotland.bsky.social
Help nature now! 🌱🐝🐦

Tomorrow is the first debate looking at potential changes to the Natural Environment Bill.

Tell your MSPs you want it to include strong targets, Swift bricks and no powers to weaken wildlife protections. It only take a minute 👉 action.rspb.org.uk/page/181323/...
Crested tit (small bird with black and white head with a crest, brown wings and white belly) sat on a lichen covered tree stump Snowy trees from above in a background image with a banner saying The Natural Environment Bill. Urge your MSPs to stand up for nature by supporting strong nature targets, measures to help endangered species like Swift bricks and the deletion of part 2
November 18, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Reposted by Ailis Watt
rspbscotland.bsky.social
The Natural Environment Bill could restore nature across Scotland. 🐦🌱🐝

But there's a problem.

Part of the Bill introduces powers that threaten our most important wildlife protections.

A nature Bill shouldn't do that! Join us in calling for this to be fixed 👉
action.rspb.org.uk/page/181323/...
A close-up photo of a puffin with the words Help us fight a big threat to Scotland's wildlife A Red Squirrel scampering down the side of a tree with the words Tell your MSPs: Yes to nature targets and swift bricks with a big green tick and No to part 2 with a red cross
November 13, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Reposted by Ailis Watt
rspbscotland.bsky.social
Is Scotland's Natural Environment Bill a trick or a treat for nature?

Yesterday MSPs backed legal targets to restore wildlife, and many called for Part 2 to be fixed.

This is a once-in-a-generation chance to turn things around for nature - we must get it right.
Campaigners dressed as a Wildcat, a Puffin, a Bumblebee and a Squirrel hold signs outside the Scottish Parliament which read: "Protect our Home" and "Nature Targets Now" The Natural Environment Bill: is it a trick or a treat for nature? Yesterday MSPs debated the Bill in Parliament. It was great to hear so many MSPs talking passionately about nature and supporting the introduction of ambitious, legally-binding nature restoration targets. These targets are key. They could help us move beyond simply minimising damage to nature to actually reversing the decline of species and habitats across Scotland. But there’s a big problem. Part 2 of the Bill threatens to weaken our most important wildlife protections. There should be no place for this in a Bill that aims to restore nature. The Natural Environment Bill is a once-in-a-generation chance to turn things around for Scotland’s nature, but we must get the detail right.
October 31, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Reposted by Ailis Watt
rspbscotland.bsky.social
📣Help nature today.🐦🌱

We’ve a once-in-a-generation chance to turn things around for Scotland's wildlife and wild places.

On Thursday MSPs will debate the Natural Environment Bill. Let them know you want a safe future for Red Squirrels, Puffins, Swifts and more 👉
action.rspb.org.uk/page/177329/...
Crested tit - a small bird with a brownish belly, tail and wings, black throat and black and white crest - stares at the camera while sat on a lichen clad wooden stump
October 28, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Reposted by Ailis Watt
rspbscotland.bsky.social
🚨Good to see today's committee report calling for major improvements to Scotland’s new nature law.

Part 2 of the Natural Environment Bill could significantly weaken protections for Scotland’s wildlife – from seabird colonies at Bass Rock to Golden Eagles in the Cairngorms.

It must be fixed!
A blue tile with an RSPB Scotland logo at the bottom and a statement that reads “The Natural Environment Bill could be a gamechanger for Scotland’s nature. We are pleased to see strong support in today’s report from the committee for the introduction of legal nature restoration targets, along with reforms to deer management and National Parks. It is also reassuring that they recognised that Part 2 of the bill poses a significant risk to wildlife in our most iconic landscapes. RSPB Scotland remains convinced that Part 2 of the Natural Environment Bill is unnecessary. We are calling on the Scottish Government to remove or significantly amend this section. The Natural Environment Bill must drive the recovery of nature in Scotland – not take us further away from it.” Red squirrel standing by a tree root. It is facing the camera with its left front paw raised slightly off the ground
September 30, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Reposted by Ailis Watt
rspbscotland.bsky.social
Today is #BiodiversityDay – a perfect time to reflect on the state of Scotland’s nature.

Scotland is famous for its incredible wildlife and wild places but is one of the most nature depleted countries on the planet (ranking 28th from the bottom out of 240).

@unbiodiversity.bsky.social
An infographic titled How much nature is left in Scotland? Below it the outlines of 10 European countries are shown along with their biodiversity intactness percentage and ranking. Scotland is highlighted as it ranks 28th from the bottom of 240 countries with an intactness of 56%.
May 22, 2025 at 8:58 AM
ailiswatt.bsky.social
This week I gave evidence in the Scottish Parliament on the Natural Environment Bill 🌍 . Listen in 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻
rspbscotland.bsky.social RSPB Scotland @rspbscotland.bsky.social · May 16
The Natural Environment Bill could be a game changer for Scotland's incredible nature. Currently, part of the Bill risks undermining that ambition. Senior Policy Officer Ailis Watt shared why this is unnecessary at an evidence session earlier this week.
May 16, 2025 at 10:04 AM
Reposted by Ailis Watt
rspbaction.bsky.social
But big gaps remain - on land and at sea.

Today’s long-awaited report gives UK Governments a clear to-do list to fix gaps in land-based SPAs, spotlight top nature sites, and help developers plan with confidence. With 2030 just 5 years away, it’s time to act - #NatureCantWait.
May 2, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Reposted by Ailis Watt
rspbaction.bsky.social
Governments across the UK have committed to protect 30% of land and sea by 2030 and to halt the decline in nature.

SPAs protect our most important natural spaces - and so are vital for us to meet our commitments to safeguard our internationally important bird populations.
May 2, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Reposted by Ailis Watt
rspbaction.bsky.social
The RSPB welcomes yesterday’s report on the UK's Special Protection Areas 🧵 👇
t.co/yzoDvhlx3T
May 2, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Reposted by Ailis Watt
rspbscotland.bsky.social
“This is a really critical decision point”

We're calling for Scottish Ministers to say no to Berwick Bank.

This mega windfarm proposal would be a disaster for Scotland's seabirds.

If it is refused, it would unlock a host of nature-friendly offshore projects.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJNM...
RSPB Scotland and other charities warn of an unprecedented threat to seabirds from a giant wind farm
YouTube video by RSPB
www.youtube.com
April 30, 2025 at 8:02 AM
Reposted by Ailis Watt
rspbscotland.bsky.social
Last week, Scottish Government published the new Natural Environment Bill.

In this blog we ask if it is up to the task: https://community.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/b/scotland/posts/a-lifeline-for-scotlands-biodiversity

📷Jake Stephen
A Curlew in a marshy field.
February 27, 2025 at 2:27 PM
ailiswatt.bsky.social
The introduction of statutory nature targets through the Natural Environment Bill could be game changing - but this Bill also introduces new powers to allow ministers to amend, revoke or repeal the Habs Regs, a huge step backwards

@endsreport.com 👇

www.endsreport.com/article/1907...
Scotland tables draft law granting powers to amend, revoke, or repeal strongest nature rules
The Scottish government has tabled draft powers which would allow ministers to amend, revoke or repeal the Habitats Regulations as part of its long-trailed Natural Environment Bill, prompting concern ...
www.endsreport.com
February 21, 2025 at 2:50 PM