#naturechampions
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naturechampions.bsky.social
In honour of Whale Day we spotlight Scotland’s whales championed by MSPs and supported by @whalesorg.bsky.social & Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust. These giants face threats from pollution and entanglement. Conservation efforts focus on protection, research, and marine reserves. 🐋
#NatureChampions
Image showing a Humpback whale and a Blue whale, with the headline “Nature Spotlight,” highlighting the importance of whale conservation in Scotland’s waters. Orange background featuring detailed illustrations of four whale species native to Scottish seas. Headline: Did you know you can find all of these whales in different parts of Scotland? Sei whale (Balaenoptera borealis): Adults can reach up to 19.5 meters in length. This species is championed by Nature Champion Kevin Stewart MSP. Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata): Typically 7 to 9 meters long. Championing this species is Nature Champion Jeremy Balfour MSP. Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae): Adults grow between 14 and 17 meters. This whale is championed by Nature Champion Jamie Greene MSP. Blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus): The largest whale species, reaching up to 33 meters. Nature Champion Kenneth Gibson MSP advocates for its protection. Blue background with text detailing urgent actions needed to protect whales: Reduce marine litter and underwater noise pollution to create safer habitats. Advocate for measures to prevent whale entanglements in fishing ropes and lines. Support long-term monitoring and research aligned with the Habitats Directive Article 11 to provide robust data for conservation and management. Promote the designation of offshore Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and ensure whale species protection is integrated into management plans. Ensure the full implementation of the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy to safeguard marine biodiversity.
February 19, 2026 at 10:03 AM
naturechampions.bsky.social
Nature Spotlight on the Freshwater Pearl Mussel, championed by @audreynicollsnp.bsky.social + Buglife. These critically endangered mussels live up to 100 years and filter 50L of water daily. Conservation focuses on protection and habitat restoration. #NatureChampions
Image showing Freshwater Pearl Mussels with the headline “Nature Spotlight.” Next to it is a photo of Nature Champion Audrey Nicoll MSP, highlighting her commitment to protecting this species. Orange background with an illustration of a Freshwater Pearl Mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera), marked with the IUCN Red List’s Critically Endangered symbol, indicating the species faces an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. Text explains: These mussels can live up to 100 years and filter up to 50 litres of water daily, significantly improving water quality for otters, fish, eels, and other aquatic life. Habitat: They thrive in clean, low-nutrient, fast-flowing rivers with coarse sand or gravel beds. Main Threats: Pollution affecting water quality, changes to river structure that hinder population recovery, and over-harvesting of mussels. List of conservation actions to protect Freshwater Pearl Mussels: Control illegal pearl fishing, encouraging public reporting of incidents, implement broader conservation and restoration of clean, fast-flowing rivers and their ecosystems, support ongoing captive breeding programs to boost populations, and ensure full implementation of the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy to safeguard habitats and species.
February 9, 2026 at 2:20 PM
naturechampions.bsky.social
This week’s Nature Spotlight: the Red Squirrel, championed by Alexander Burnett MSP and The Scottish Wildlife Trust. Known as ‘Feòrag Ruadh,’ they live in conifer woods, building nests called dreys. Threats include grey squirrels & habitat loss. 🐿️🌲

#NatureChampions
@scotwildlife.bsky.social
Picture of a red squirrel eating with the headline “Nature Spotlight.” The red squirrel, known as ‘Feòrag Ruadh’ in Gaelic, is featured alongside an image of Nature Champion Alexander Burnett MSP. Orange background featuring illustrations of a red squirrel and oak tree leaves. Text explains that red squirrels live in nests called dreys, which they build themselves from moss, twigs, and grass, usually near tree trunks. Habitat: Typically found in coniferous forests, feeding mainly on pine cone seeds. Main Threats: Competition from invasive grey squirrels, squirrelpox virus, habitat fragmentation, and road traffic collisions. Conservation Status: Classified as ‘Least Concern’ by the IUCN Red List, meaning the species is not currently endangered but some populations may be declining and need monitoring. List of conservation actions to protect red squirrels: Support the Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels partnership project. Back habitat restoration and grey squirrel control initiatives. Develop a coherent Scottish Nature Network to focus conservation efforts on key species and habitats. Ensure the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy addresses the main causes of decline identified by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES).
January 27, 2026 at 1:09 PM
naturechampions.bsky.social
Discover how LINK’s Nature Champions initiative is gaining global attention at the World Economic Forum. 🌿🐾🌍
Read the full press release: www.scotlink.org/global-boost...

#worldeconomicforum #naturechampions #davos
January 22, 2026 at 9:50 AM
naturechampions.bsky.social
Happy New Year to all our followers!

2026 is a big year for Nature Champions...

Did you know that the #NatureChampions initiative relaunches each Parliament to welcome new cross-party MSPs who will champion Scotland's species and habitats in Holyrood?

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Image of MSPs outside Parliament with a Nature Champions banner Image of MSPs and NGO reps on a beach with a Nature Champions banner Image of MSPs and NGO reps with a Nature Champions banner in a woodland Image of MSPs with Nature Champions awards and a Nature Champions banner in the Scottish Parliament
January 8, 2026 at 10:23 AM
markruskell.bsky.social
Looking forward to this blockbuster doc about the reintroduction of the White Tailed Eagle in Scotland. Breathtaking bird, incredible story 🦅 @NatureChampions
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June 27, 2025 at 3:42 PM
ariane-burgess.bsky.social
🦫 Beavers don’t just build dams - they build biodiversity.

Huge thanks to @scotlink.bsky.social for this Nature Champion award and for bringing together MSPs and member organisations to celebrate and support nature advocacy in our Parliament.

#NatureChampions #Beavers #Biodiversity
June 11, 2025 at 1:04 PM
bumblebeetrust.bsky.social
Delighted to host Scottish @NatureChampions MSPs at #UofStirling on Friday to mark #WorldBeeDay 🌍🐝

We went on a wild bee safari, explored cutting-edge bumblebee research, and discussed our #BumblebeeManifesto - a call to action for policymakers to help wild bees thrive.
A group photo of the Nature Champions. Two people inspect a bumblebee safely caught in a net using a bumblebee ID guide.
May 20, 2025 at 9:48 AM