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Find out more about how we plan to achieve our commitment to be a Net Zero emitting organisation by 2030

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Find out more about how we plan to achieve our commitment to be a Net Zero emitting organisation by 2030

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Our Mission Zero - Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park

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The National Park has evolved over many thousands of years, creating a landscape that’s alive: home to wildlife, plants and people, and loved by many more. However, this precious place is at threat from one of the defining challenges of our time: the global climate emergency. The impacts of climate change are already being felt across the National Park.  Whilst we have very real challenges to overcome, tackling the climate emergency is possible.  But we all must act now.

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Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park

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The National Park has evolved over many thousands of years, creating a landscape that's alive: home to wildlife, plants and people, and loved by many more. However, this precious place is at threat from one of the defining challenges of our time: the global climate emergency. The impacts of climate change are already being felt across the National Park. Whilst we have very real challenges to overcome, tackling the climate emergency is possible. But we all must act now.

The growing impacts of the climate emergency have been all too real to those living, working and visiting the National Park. There have been more frequent flooding and landslips, seriously damaging people's homes, communities and businesses. Our warmer and wetter climate also threatens nature, where ecosystems, once stable and able to support many species, are struggling to adapt to these quickly snowballing changes. It's clear that doing nothing is not an option: we must act now.

Landslide on A83 © BEAR Scotland

The Scottish Government declared a global climate emergency in 2019, and set out its ambition to become a ' Net Zero Nation' by 2045. Since then, the world has been seriously impacted by COVID-19. Whilst we are still in the midst of the pandemic, we know we must aim for a just and green recovery, which has formed a core theme in the latest Climate Change Plan update from the Scottish Government.

As a public body, we here at the National Park Authority have a moral and statutory obligation to play our part in helping Scotland achieve its ambitious plans. We believe we must lead by example in tackling the climate emergency and that's why we are weaving a net zero approach across the fabric of our entire organisation. This is our Mission Zero: our plan for transforming how our organisation operates and invests, with the ambition to be a net zero emitting organisation by 2030.

This will influence how we work as an organisation and the way that we work with our partners across the National Park.

Peatland restoration © RJ Cooper

As a place, the National Park is ideally suited to tackle the climate emergency at landscape scale. With partners, we have delivered actions for a number of years which place nature-based solutions at the core of tackling climate emergency, such as peatland restoration works to sink carbon or supporting riparian habitat restoration to improve resilience to flooding. Not only does this 'net zero with nature' approach strengthen the National Park's resilience to climate change, it also delivers tangible benefits to nature and helps to divert the other ecological emergency we are facing: the nature crisis.
You have a role to play too. Whether you're visiting the National Park for the day, or you live or work here, all of us can make choices that positively impact and protect this special place.

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The Climate Emergency | Respect Your Park

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The growing impacts of the climate emergency have been all too real to those living, working and visiting the National Park. There have been more frequent flooding and landslips, seriously damaging people's homes, communities and businesses. Our warmer and wetter climate also threatens nature, where ecosystems, once stable and able to support many species, are struggling to adapt to these quickly snowballing changes.

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We know how crucial land management activities are to the delivery of National Park aims and the impact land management has on biodiversity, landscapes and water. We aim to establish and maintain positive and productive relationships with land managers in the National Park, helping them to deliver optimum public benefits from their use of land whilst achieving a viable economic return.

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Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park

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We know how crucial land management activities are to the delivery of National Park aims and the impact land management has on biodiversity, landscapes and water. We aim to establish and maintain positive and productive relationships with land managers in the National Park, helping them to deliver optimum public benefits from their use of land whilst achieving a viable economic return.

We deliver a support service to land managers in accordance with state aid regulations (Articles 21, 22, 38 and 39 of European Commission Regulation 702/2014) as outlined in this Support Service to Land Managers guidance.

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We know how crucial land management activities are to the delivery of National Park aims and the impact land management has on biodiversity, landscapes and water. We aim to establish and maintain positive and productive relationships with land managers in the National Park, helping them to deliver optimum public benefits from their use of land whilst achieving a viable economic return.

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Biodiversity & Climate Change Education Pack

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Biodiversity & Climate Change Education Pack

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This resource has background information on the National Park, its special qualities, the main land uses, and provides examples of habitats and biodiversity, highlighting the role of the National Park Authority in mitigating the impacts of climate change.

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Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park

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This new resource contains background information on Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, its special qualities, the main land uses, and provides examples of habitats and biodiversity, highlighting the role of the National Park Authority in mitigating the impacts of climate change.

'Biodiversity & Climate Change in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park' has been developed to support the Environmental Science curriculum - National 4/5 and Higher: Living Environment, Earths resources and Sustainability.

It contains background information on Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, its special qualities, the main land uses, and provides examples of habitats and biodiversity, highlighting the role of the National Park Authority in mitigating the impacts of climate change.

Through using this resource students will learn about the effects of climate change on a National Park and the important habitats and biodiversity these special places provide. Each case study provides additional references and web links to encourage further reading and research, and makes suggestions for field visits to the National Park. The final section highlights other resources available to support learning and visits to Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park. The resource can be used by both educators and by students.

Download the Biodiversity & Climate Change Education Pack

Case Studies

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Biodiversity & Climate Change Education Pack | Resources

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This new resource contains background information on Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, its special qualities, the main land uses, and provides examples of habitats and biodiversity, highlighting the role of the National Park Authority in mitigating the impacts of climate change.

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Website dedicated to teaching the Sustainable Development Goals.

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To help reach our goal of actively supporting and enhancing the work of the United Nations' efforts within K-12 classrooms, our TeachSDGs organization contributes to the 2030 Agenda in the following...

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We propose to use the Edinburgh Declaration as a platform to help create a stronger identity and common purpose for all those with a stake in nature in the Park to achieve over time, more and bigger outcomes that help reverse biodiversity loss – our ‘FutureNature’

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Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park

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Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority and Cairngorms National Park Authority have officially become signatories of the Edinburgh Declaration.

The Declaration, which the Scottish Government published in August 2019, is a statement of intent outlining how subnational governments and local authorities will work together to take bold action on tackling loss of biodiversity.

The commitment demonstrates the two National Park Authorities' ambitions around nature as leading environment bodies in Scotland. It commits to standing with other public bodies to deliver transformative actions on nature by increasing resources and building capacity for nature-based solutions, raising public awareness, working locally with partner bodies and private businesses, and aligning with national plans and strategies. Both Parks have ambitious plans for large scale expansion of native woodlands and restoring damaged peatlands, two actions that help tackle both the loss of nature and climate change.

Environment and Climate Change Secretary Roseanna Cunningham said: "Tackling the twin crises of biodiversity loss and climate change is a national and international imperative and must be central to our green recovery from Covid-19.

"The Scottish Government recognises the key role that peatland restoration and tree planting can play in this recovery and their ability to enhance biodiversity, sequester carbon and create good, green jobs in our communities. I am pleased to see that our National Parks already have ambitious plans to increase this work.

"The Edinburgh Declaration makes it clear that, together with governments, cities and local authorities across the world, the Scottish Government and partners such as our National Park authorities are ready to meet the challenge of delivering the post-2020 global biodiversity framework and play a strong role in its implementation.

"Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority Board agreed to sign up to the declaration and to use the commitment as a platform for building on the Authority's Conservation and Land Management work and to create a stronger identity and common purpose for all those with a stake in nature in the National Park, through a shared 'FutureNature' routemap.

James Stuart, Convener of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority, said: "At a time of global crises, the nature crisis can sometimes be blurred with the climate emergency but it's important to recognise this global issue in its own right. The Edinburgh Declaration provides an opportunity to step up our ambitions and our commitment to tackling global biodiversity loss. We will use this as a platform to build on the successes we've had so far through our Wild Park programme and other nature conservation initiatives, and to work on a regional scale with partners, including communities and businesses, to achieve greater outcomes for this special place and precious natural resource."

The Cairngorms National Park Authority is committed to tackling biodiversity loss through the Cairngorms Nature partnership, which delivers landscape scale conservation projects alongside priority species work through five year action plans. The key aim of Cairngorms Nature is to create more diversity and an even greater abundance of distinctive habitats and species in the National Park.

Xander McDade, Convener of the Cairngorms National Park Authority explains: "Biodiversity loss in Scotland cannot be ignored and we all have a part to play in making the changes needed. The Edinburgh Declaration is an important milestone in the fight to make those changes. It will allow us to focus our work through Cairngorms Nature, as we partner with the landowners, communities and businesses of the National Park, to create a sustainable future for people and nature."
Ends Notes to editors
More information about the Edinburgh Declaration.

The Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority Board approved this report on the Edinburgh Declaration and 'FutureNature' proposal at a meeting on Monday 7 th December 2020.

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Scotland's National Parks sign up to global commitment to tackling nature loss | Respect Your Park

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Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority and Cairngorms National Park Authority have officially become signatories of the Edinburgh Declaration. The Declaration, which the Scottish Government published in August 2019, is a statement of intent outlining how subnational governments and local authorities will work together to take bold action on tackling loss of biodiversity.

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National Park Scotland Act sets out the aims for both of Scotland's National Park -

We have four aims, each one designed to safeguard a sustainable future:

Conserve and enhance – we protect and promote the natural and cultural heritage of the area

Sustainability – we promote the sustainable use of the natural resources of the area

Understanding and enjoyment – we encourage people to enjoy the special qualities of the area

Social and economic development – we promote sustainable development of the communities in the area

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One of Scotland's National Parks has 22 lochs in which to swim, sail and paddle. The other contains 55 Munros - including five of the UK's six highest peaks.

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We believe that as a National Park Authority we should be a leading organisation in reducing our greenhouse gas emissions. By 2030, we will be a net zero emitting organisation.  This is our Mission Zero

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Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park

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We believe that as a National Park Authority, whose fundamental aim is to conserve and enhance the natural heritage of this special part of Scotland, we should be a leading organisation in reducing our greenhouse gas emissions.

We've made progress in the actions we've taken to date, but over the next decade we will make a real step change in how we operate - putting emissions reduction at the heart of our decision-making. With this goal in sight, we will dramatically reduce the emissions associated with the work we undertake, the services we deliver and those arising from across the land and buildings we manage.

By 2030, we will be a net zero emitting organisation. This is our Mission Zero.

Our greenhouse gas emissions reduction journey began six years and so far, we have lowered our emissions by 38% from our baseline figures in 2013/14. We have begun transitioning our fleet away from fossil fuels to electricity and use biomass instead of gas to heat our headquarters. We also have an active Climate Change Group who have championed sustainability across the organisation, leading on numerous projects that have 'greened' the way we work.

Emissions reduction journey from 2015/16 to 2018/19
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Emissions reduction journey from 2015/16 to 2018/19
Emissions (tC02e) 2015/16: Electricity 182.4, Heating 29.3, Transport 98.6. Total = 310.3.

Emissions (tC02e) 2016/17: Electricity 164.57, Heating 18.3, Transport 77.49. Total = 260.36.

Emissions (tC02e) 2017/18: Electricity 116.25, Heating 26.2, Transport 111.15. Total = 253.60.

Emissions (tC02e) 2018/19: Electricity 99.19, Heating 25.5, Transport 97.31. Total = 222.0.

But, since the Scottish Government's binding target was announced in 2019 to become a Net Zero nation by 2045, we questioned whether we could do more to stop the climate emergency. Whilst we have seen some real progress in reducing our emissions, we know that now is the time to redouble our efforts and recommit to Scotland's future. That's why we are making it part of our mission to become a net zero organisation by 2030.
To guide us along this ten year process, we have written our Mission Zero Route Map.
In the Route Map, which was approved by our Board in December 2020, we have grouped our core emissions into three themes: transport, electricity and heating, which we will continue to report upon. Taking the year 2018/19 as our Mission Zero baseline, we have 222tCO2e (tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent) to reduce to net zero. That's roughly equivalent to 42 return flights from Edinburgh to New Zealand.

Mission Zero Baseline
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Baseline emissions chart:

Electricity 99.2 tC02e

Transport 97.3 tC02e

Heating 25.5 tC02e

Total = 222.0 tC02e

The Route Map outlines how we transform the land and buildings we manage by investing in green infrastructure such as air source heat pumps to heat our visitor centre and toilets, solar panels to power our headquarters and Duncan Mills Memorial Slipway and even more efficient LED lightbulbs and sensors across all our buildings.

We will continue our shift towards an electric fleet so we can travel round the National Park as sustainably as possible, starting with our cars and vans but with longer term goals, as innovative technology emerges, to have high-power, long-range electric boats for our Ranger Service.

Just as importantly, we will continue to support everyone here at the National Park Authority, including our staff and Board, our volunteers and our Youth Committee, to champion emissions reduction in their behaviour and the actions we all take, ensuring that Mission Zero is, put simply, everyone's responsibility (and opportunity) to achieve.

Our principles

All of our Mission Zero work will be guided by a set of principles:

We will drive down our organisation's emissions as much as possible, aiming towards direct zero. We will also focus on nature-based solutions to tackling the climate emergency, investing in the National Park to deliver carbon sequestration projects which deliver multiple benefits for climate, people and nature.

We have been ambitious with our date, but through regular review and continued investment in our Mission Zero, we will seek to bring our net zero date closer than 2030 if practicable.

Protecting the environment is already at the core of what we do, but we will ensure that climate thinking and our emissions reduction work is embedded in the culture of all our teams and our Board.

Our actions are grounded in data and insights and we will continuously measure interventions to track our impact and learn from these as we seek to improve further. We will share our evidence and learning with others to drive more effective emissions reductions.

We will make changes to reduce emissions associated with all of the activities we carry out, even if these are indirect and beyond the immediate boundary of our Mission Zero.

From our own individual behaviours and organisational culture to developing partnerships, we will collectively build motivation and momentum to drive positive and coordinated climate action across the National Park.

The journey ahead is not straight forward, but we will monitor and share our progress as we go, in the hope that we can inspire everyone to start reducing their emissions and so we can all learn from each other.

Our Mission Zero starts now.

Download our Mission Zero Route Map

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We believe that as a National Park Authority, whose fundamental aim is to conserve and enhance the natural heritage of this special part of Scotland, we should be a leading organisation in reducing our greenhouse gas emissions.

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Learn about the importance of healthy peatlands with this simple experiment.

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Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park

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Learn about the importance of healthy peatlands with this simple experiment.

This education activity is a great way to learn about peatlands in the National Park and why they are so important for the climate emergency.

You'll need a few props, including:

Two 2-litre plastic bottles with the sides cut off.

A small watering can, or another plastic bottle with some holes carefully cut into the lid to let the water run out.

The bottom cut from a further two plastic bottles.

String.

Peat and sphagnum moss / grassy turf and soil.

Sphagnum moss © RJ Cooper

Our Ranger Adam demonstrates how to carry out this activity in the video below. For the full instructions and list of helpful links to further education resources, click to download the Blanket Bog in a Bottle activity sheet at the bottom of this page.

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Lochdown Learning: Peatlands | Lochdown Learning

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Learn about the importance of healthy peatlands with this simple experiment. This education activity is a great way to learn about peatlands in the National Park and why they are so important for the climate emergency. You'll need a few props, including: Two 2-litre plastic bottles with the sides cut off.

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Nature conservation is at the very heart of what the National Park stands for. We want to inspire as many people as possible to help us look after the extraordinary natural beauty that lies within our National Park.

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Nature Based solutions for the Climate Emergency in the National Park 

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Nature Based solutions for the Climate Emergency in the National Park 

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Nature-based solutions for the Climate Emergency

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We take action to mitigate and adapt to the climate emergency across all of our work.  From the practical conservation work we carry out with partners, such as peatland restoration in our Wild Park biodiversity action plan and increasing tree cover by delivering our Trees and Woodlands Strategy, to the way we advise planning developments, climate and nature-based solutions are at the heart of what we do.

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Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park

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We take action to mitigate and adapt to the climate emergency across all of our work. From the practical conservation work we carry out with partners, such as peatland restoration in our Wild Park biodiversity action plan and increasing tree cover by delivering our Trees and Woodlands Strategy, to the way we advise planning developments, climate and nature-based solutions are at the heart of what we do.

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Tackling the Climate Emergency | Respect Your Park

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We take action to mitigate and adapt to the climate emergency across all of our work. From the practical conservation work we carry out with partners, such as peatland restoration in our Wild Park biodiversity action plan and increasing tree cover by delivering our Trees and Woodlands Strategy, to the way we advise planning developments, climate and nature-based solutions are at the heart of what we do.

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Deer are an important part of the National Park’s biodiversity and to ensure that the balance is right, they require a careful and  sustainable management.

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Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park

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Africa has the "King of the Jungle" and Scotland - the "Monarchs of the Glen". Deer are an important part of the National Park's biodiversity and to ensure that the balance is right, they require a careful and sustainable management.

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Deer in the National Park | Respect Your Park

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Africa has the "King of the Jungle" and Scotland - the "Monarchs of the Glen". Deer are an important part of the National Park's biodiversity and to ensure that the balance is right, they require a careful and sustainable management.

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Our mountain bogs are areas of peatland. Simply put, peatlands are areas where peat is found.

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Wonderfully comprehensive Sustainability Resource Guide from the John Muir Award team.

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The Edinburgh Declaration & FutureNature

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The Edinburgh Declaration & FutureNature

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The statement of intent outlines how signatories and supporters commit to two main elements of reversing biodiversity loss.

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It is a place of contrasts, from rolling lowland landscapes in the south to high mountains in the north, and has many lochs and rivers, forests and woodlands.
It is also a living, working landscape which has been influenced by people for generations and is visited and enjoyed by many for its recreational value.

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Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park

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The National Park encompasses around 720 sq miles (1,865 sq km) of some of the finest scenery in Scotland and is split into four distinct areas.

It is a place of contrasts, from rolling lowland landscapes in the south to high mountains in the north, and has many lochs and rivers, forests and woodlands. It is also a living, working landscape which has been influenced by people for generations and is visited and enjoyed by many for its recreational value.

The Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park became fully operational on 19 July 2002 and was officially opened by Princess Anne on 24 July 2002.

Key facts

The Park is 1,865 sq km (720 sq miles) and has a boundary length of 350km (220miles).

50% of Scotland's population lives within an hour's drive of the National Park.

There are 21 Munros (mountains above 3,000ft) in the Park and the highest is Ben More at 1,174m.

There are 19 Corbetts (mountains between 2,500ft and 3,000ft).

There are 22 larger lochs, with numerous smaller lochs and lochans, and about 50 rivers and large burns.

15,168 people live in the National Park (2011 census).

There are two Forest Parks - Queen Elizabeth in the Trossachs and Argyll in Cowal.

The National Park contains one of the UK's largest National Nature Reserves - The Great Trossachs Forest.

Ben Lomond National Memorial Park is Scotland's national memorial to those who have died in conflict.

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The National Park encompasses around 720 sq miles (1,865 sq km) of some of the finest scenery in Scotland and is split into four distinct areas. It is a place of contrasts, from rolling lowland landscapes in the south to high mountains in the north, and has many lochs and rivers, forests and woodlands.

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Our Mission Zero Routemap is our guide along our ten year process to be a net zero emitting organisation

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Learn about the importance of healthy peatlands with this simple experiment - activity resource guide

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Wild Park is our long-term vision for how we will protect the National Park’s habitats and ecosystems, which are of global importance for nature. Click on this link to read about some of our conservation work in action;

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Climate Change Priorities in the National Park 

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Climate Change Priorities in the National Park 

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The impacts of climate change present very real challenges to our native habitats and species and to our communities and economy in the National Park, particularly in relation to the increasing frequency of flood events and loss of biodiversity.

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Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park

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Priority 3.1 - Climate Change

Our focus will be working with partners and communities to better adapt to, and mitigate against the impacts of climate change by building resilience and collaborating on land use and water management initiatives which capture carbon and reduce flooding impacts.

These will include supporting:

natural flood management projects.

Sensitively sited woodland enhancement and expansion.

Building resilient habitat networks.

Peatland restoration projects upstream of flood risk communities, including Aberfoyle
and Callander.

Implementation of the Clyde and Loch Lomond, Forth, and Tay Flood Risk Management Plans that cover the Park.

Map 4

The peatlands of the National Park store more than 20 million tonnes of carbon. They are the best carbon store we have, so it's vitally important we work with land managers to protect and restore them.

Natural Carbon Store

Who can help deliver Outcome 3?

Listed below are partners who have committed to helping deliver these outcomes (Lead Delivery Partners) and those who could provide further support (Support Delivery Partners).

Lead delivery partners:

Scottish Natural Heritage

Forest Enterprise Scotland

Forestry Commission Scotland

Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA)

Scottish Government Rural Payments and Inspections Division (RPID)

Confederation of Forest Industries

Support delivery partners:

Private and NGO Land Managers

Clyde Marine Planning Partnership

Local Authorities

Scottish Land and Estates

National Farmers Union Scotland

Scottish Water

John Muir Trust

Community Partnership and local communities

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Outcome 3: Climate Change | Respect Your Park

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Our focus will be working with partners and communities to better adapt to, and mitigate against the impacts of climate change by building resilience and collaborating on land use and water management initiatives which capture carbon and reduce flooding impacts. These will include supporting: natural flood management projects.

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Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park

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Deer Management Groups

Liaison between neighbours is essential to the efficient implementation of deer management objectives and occurs through local Deer Management Groups (DMGs). These groups provide a forum for explaining deer policy and for considering mutually beneficial co-operation on deer management matters.

The National Park's aim in working with Deer Management Groups is to achieve the following:

A mosaic of deer densities allowing different deer management objectives to be achieved in different parts of the Park

A deer management planning process which seeks agreement from all interested parties on what deer densities should be

Good communications between all involved in deer management

Deer recognised as a valuable asset throughout the Park

Deer impacts viewed as being in balance with habitats

Deer management carried out to high professional standards and respected by all

In order to achieve all this, we are working with Deer Management Groups in the Park to support the work that they do. The desired outcome is that land managers have the density of deer on their holding that allows them to achieve their land management objectives whilst protecting and enhancing the important habitats found within the National Park.

Deer management is an integral part to delivering the outcomes set out in the National Park Partnership Plan. By supporting Deer Management Groups, we will help to deliver multiple benefits such as improving the condition of our woodlands and uplands, through projects such as our Habitat Impact Assessment monitoring and peatland restoration. It is provides employment in remote communities.

Currently many of our habitats in the National Park are over-grazed by herbivores, both domestic and wild and by working in partnership with other partner agencies, such as SNH, and with land managers we can work to reducing these pressures.

Deer and the local economy

Deer management is an established way of life in Highland Scotland, which generates income for sporting estates, helps maintain healthy deer populations, contributes to sustainable management of the environment, and supports local employment. The participation of visitors in deer stalking can be a significant part of the income of the estates.

The Deer Commission for Scotland estimates there are around 320 permanent and 460 part time stalkers directly employed in open hill red deer management, as well as 109 Forestry Commission rangers. There are also private forestry company stalkers and others involved in managing woodland deer. These jobs tend to be concentrated in relatively remote rural areas where alternative employment opportunities are scarce.

Stalking creates a number of 'spin-off' jobs in rural communities. It generates income for other parts of the rural economy such as hotels and shops, fencing suppliers and craft businesses, and supports a significant wild venison industry. The Association of Deer Management Groups estimates the annual value of deer stalking lets in Scotland at between £5 million and £7 million, with venison sales averaging the same.

Wider policy

Scotland's Wild Deer: A National Approach is the strategic vision for deer management in Scotland. It has 5 themes that set out how private and public bodies can work together to deliver outcomes. These are:

1. Collaboration and Effective Deer Management Planning and Implementation

2. Healthy Ecosystems

3. Lowland and Urban Deer

4. Economic and Community Development

5. Training and Wild Deer Welfare

The Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011 introduced the Code of Practice on Deer Management ( Deer Code), which came into effect in 2012. WDNA provides a forward looking perspective, whilst the Deer Code is about delivery and lays out the deer management responsibilities and recognises the public interest in deer management.

The next tier down in the tool box for deer managers are the Wild Deer Best Practice Guides, which provide specific technical and practical skills for practioners and people on the ground.

This diagram shows the broad relationship between integrated land use, WDNA, Deer Code, Wild Deer Best Practice and people who work to deliver collaborative deer management in Scotland (source: Scotland's Wild Deer: A National Approach document).

How we can help

The Park Authority will support delivery through deer management groups by:

Providing clarity on the public interest priorities

Supporting the use of herbivore impact assessments and habitat monitoring to inform management

Supporting peatland restoration projects and woodland improvement & creation projects

Supporting training opportunities to ensure high standards of competence in deer management

Supporting deer management groups and facilitating communication and joint action across deer management group boundaries where necessary

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Liaison between neighbours is essential to the efficient implementation of deer management objectives and occurs through local Deer Management Groups (DMGs). These groups provide a forum for explaining deer policy and for considering mutually beneficial co-operation on deer management matters.

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The red squirrel  is one of our most popular and well-loved mammals

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Glasgow Science Centre resource is loaded with educational videos with something for all age groups.

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The Hub is your one-stop-shop to explore Our World Our Impact and features exclusive clips from live events, activities and workshops, educational resources and more...

Search The Hub for content to watch on-demand.

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The Hub is your one-stop-shop to explore Our World Our Impact and features exclusive clips from live events, activities and workshops, educational resources and more... Search The Hub for content to watch on-demand.

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Future Nature Board Paper - A draft Route Map for restoring biodiversity in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park.

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Future Nature Board Paper - A draft Route Map for restoring biodiversity in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park.

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Future Nature is a new approach to restoring biodiversity and the natural environment across the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park. It is ambitious both in terms of scale and scope and aims to create a clear narrative of why we need to double our efforts for nature, what a future richer in nature looks like, and how we can work towards making this a reality for the benefit of biodiversity, climate and people

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Main webpage with info, resources and contact details for support for a visit to the National Park.

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Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park

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Our Education team are happy to help with any resources or support for digital / remote learning during this time so please get in touch if you have any questions. Find out more about our response to Coronavirus/Covid-19.

Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park is a unique treasure trove of wildlife and natural beauty that provides the perfect outdoor classroom, offering fantastic opportunities to experience nature.

Outdoor learning not only enables an awareness of the natural environment - encouraging care and appreciation of it - being immersed in nature has fantastic health benefits too and can improve the physical, mental and emotional wellbeing of children and adults.

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Our Education team are happy to help with any resources or support for digital / remote learning during this time so please get in touch if you have any questions. Find out more about our response to Coronavirus/Covid-19.

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Find out more about how we plan to achieve our commitment to be a Net Zero emitting organisation by 2030

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Our Mission Zero - Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park

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This education activity is a great way to learn about how the beautiful landscape of the National Park was formed over 400 million years ago… through the medium of chocolate

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Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park

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Learning about the landscape with the help of chocolate!

This education activity is a great way to learn about how the beautiful landscape of the National Park was formed over 400 million years ago... through the medium of chocolate.

You'll need a few props, including:

A selection of chocolate including, if possible, Mars Bars, Lion Bars, Crunchies, Curly Wurlies (cut into small pieces and kept cold if possible) and Crème Eggs - don't eat them all at once! (Remember to make sure no one has allergies to the ingredients in the chocolate bars).

A globe- or try Google Earth as a virtual resource.

Cross section diagram of Earth.

A small zip-lock or freezer bag

Rock samples if you can find any in your garden or local walk. If not, use pictures of sandstone, slate, granite, pumice, gneiss, quartzite.

Our Ranger Adam deomstrates how to carry out the first part of this activity in the video below. For the full instructions and list of helpful links to further education resources, click to download the Chocolate Geology Education Activity Sheet at the bottom of this page.

Download our Chocolate Geology Activity Sheet

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Lochdown Learning: Chocolate Geology | Respect Your Park

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Learning about the landscape with the help of chocolate! This education activity is a great way to learn about how the beautiful landscape of the National Park was formed over 400 million years ago... through the medium of chocolate.

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Our current Wild Park Action Programme will be in place until 2023 and is now focused on four Key Environmental Threats that negatively impact our nature and landscapes. By tackling these threats, we can better protect and enhance the natural habitats and ecosystems.

The natural environment of the National Park faces many threats, mostly resulting from human impacts or resulting pressures, but four environmental threats are considered to be the key pressures on the National Park’s biodiversity and natural capital.

4 Key Environmental Threats -

Poor quality of some lochs & rivers
Negative impacts on freshwater and marine water bodies from problems such as pollution from surrounding land uses.

Unsustainable levels of grazing
Unsustainable levels of wild and domesticated grazing and browsing animals in some upland and woodland areas, leading to reduced tree cover and the erosion of soils, which are important carbon stores.

Invasive, Non-Native Species
The spread of invasive non-native species, which displace our rich native wildlife.

Climate Change Pressures
The impacts of climate change leading to warmer, wetter weather patterns and a subsequent increase in flood events, major landslides and rapid shifts in natural
ecosystems.

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Reducing your impact on the National Park

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Reducing your impact on the National Park

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Whether you live or work in the National Park, are visiting for the day or exploring for longer, or here on a study visit, there are ways that we can all reduce our impact on the National Park and take action against the climate emergency

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Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park

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Whether you live or work in the National Park, are visiting for the day or exploring for longer, or here on a study visit, there are ways that we can all reduce our impact on the National Park and take action against the climate emergency.

For visitors

Travel wisely

Reducing your impact on the National Park starts before you even arrive. By choosing public transport, such as the train or bus, you'll reduce your emissions significantly. There are two key train lines through the Park, with direct lines straight from Glasgow and a number of national coach and local bus links, which you can find more information on through our getting to the Park advice. You can even access some of our most iconic munros by public transport.

There is a growing number of electric vehicle charging points across the Park, which you can see mapped at ChargePlace Scotland so you don't have to worry if you're driving or have hired an electric car. If you have to come by car, then consider whether you can (assuming it's safe to do so in line with COVID-19 restrictions at the time) car share with a couple of friends.

Once you're here, consider the way you get around. There are a number of great walks that allow you to take in all of the scenery without your car. Or if you're feeling a bit more adventurous, bringing your bike or hiring one will allow you to travel even further round the National Park. The Loch Lomond & The Trossachs Countryside Trust have mapped out a number of e-bike routes that you might like to explore on one of their e-bikes.

Ditch the disposables

Did you know that a massive four-fifths (80%) of Scotland's carbon footprint comes from all the goods, materials and services which we produce, use and often throw out after just one use?

The items that we choose to use (or reuse!) make a real difference, along with how we dispose of them. You'll already know that littering isn't acceptable in the National Park. There are a number of other ways to reduce the waste associated with your visit, from bringing and refilling a reusable water bottle to investing in a tent that will last you more than one night. Even better if it's made out of recycled single-use plastic!

Consider volunteering

If you enjoyed your visit to the National Park, why not consider volunteering with us or our partners? Our volunteers carry out a huge range of practical conservation work that directly improves the National Park's resilience to climate change. From tasks that help to mitigate climate change, such as tree planting, to actions that help the National Park's environment to adapt to changing weather, such as river conservation tasks, volunteers already have had a significant positive impact here in the Park.

For communities

Communities across the National Park are already taking action against the climate emergency, with a number recently gaining funding through the Community Climate Asset Fund to take forward food growing and waste reduction projects.

Through our grants scheme, we support a number of communities in the National Park active against the climate emergency. In 2020/21, our grants were awarded specifically to those who showed they were helping to deliver a green recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, including an outdoor classroom, invasive species removal, path upgrades, community garden work & biomass heating system installation.

For learners

For an accessible, hands-on learning experience, check out our peatlands learning activity. With just a couple of items, you'll be able to make your own mini bog and learn about how bogs or peatlands are our friends in fighting climate change.

If you want to dive deeper, our Climate Change Education Pack has been designed to give a fuller overview of the impacts of climate change including the key environmental threats, and outlines the role of the National Park in mitigating the climate emergency. It includes case studies which can be used to aid learning, with one specifically exploring the importance of restoring peatlands, one of our most significant carbon sinks.

For anyone involved in delivering climate related education, please speak with us about how we can provide a wide range of other National Park support to you. From travel grants, to kit libraries, we can help - just get in touch.

For land managers

From advice on sustainable land management, through to grants on taking action on your land to mitigate the climate emergency, such as tree planting, our Land Management pages provides a summary of the support we provide to land managers across the National Park

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Reducing your impact on the National Park | Respect Your Park

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Whether you live or work in the National Park, are visiting for the day or exploring for longer, or here on a study visit, there are ways that we can all reduce our impact on the National Park and take action against the climate emergency.

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Tips for reducing your waste when visiting the National Park

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Tips for reducing your waste when visiting the National Park

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If you’re planning a trip to the National Park, it’s important to consider the impact your visit could have on the landscape and wildlife in the area. Everyone has a role to play in protecting this special place, and the little things we do can make a big difference. What else do you think you could do?

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Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park

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If you're planning a trip to the National Park, it's important to consider the impact your visit could have on the landscape and wildlife in the area. Everyone has a role to play in protecting this special place, and the little things we do can make a big difference!

At Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, we support the Scottish Government's vision for a litter-free Scotland. That's why this #ScotClimateWeek, we've partnered with Zero Waste Scotland to provide you with some tips on how to reduce, reuse and recycle when visiting the National Park.

Following these simple tips will prevent unnecessary waste going to landfill and help to keep the National Park beautiful.

Ditch the disposables: If you're bringing a picnic or snacks for a day of exploring, use reusable containers and bottles so you don't need to discard of any waste when out in the wilderness.

Stand against throwaway culture: For camping trips and other outdoor pursuits, invest in tents and other gear that can be used over and over again, rather than leaving valuable materials in our natural environment. Leaving tents and other items behind is flytipping and you could be fined.

Be prepared: Before you set off on an adventure, remember to check local maps and signs to ensure you know where your nearest bins, toilets and recycling facilities are located. Our 'last chance loo stops' page offers a handy guide to public toilets in the National Park.

Bag and bin it: If you do need to get rid of items while you're out and there's no bin nearby, please keep hold of your waste. Don't leave rubbish behind, as this spoils the location for other visitors, can cause harm to wildlife and costs money to clean up.

Nik Turner, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Litter Prevention Manager, added: 'The National Park is one of Scotland's most iconic destinations and we're pleased to welcome anyone who wishes to come and explore this beautiful area. However, it is vitally important that we all play our part in ensuring that the wildlife and natural beauty of this area is protected. The key thing to remember when visiting the National Park is to leave no trace and take any waste home with you. To minimise your impact, try and bring reusable items such as water bottles, food boxes and good quality camping or hiking gear that doesn't need to be thrown away after one or two uses.'

We're committed to working with partners to reduce the amount of waste in the National Park and to encourage communities to take direct action.

Find out more about looking after the National Park.
This blog post was written in partnership with Zero Waste Scotland, a not-for-profit environmental organisation that focuses on leading Scotland to use products and resources responsibly, in order to have the greatest impact on climate change. You can follow our activities for #ScotClimateWeek on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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Tips for reducing your waste when visiting the National Park | News

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If you're planning a trip to the National Park, it's important to consider the impact your visit could have on the landscape and wildlife in the area. Everyone has a role to play in protecting this special place, and the little things we do can make a big difference!

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Invasive non-native species literally invade, spread and settle resulting in a significant loss of native plant and invertebrate biodiversity.

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A new Scottish Water online Education Hub with free online learning activities for Primary and Secondary aged pupils. Topics include the water cycle, our environment, health, and more.

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Please log in with your username and password, or create a new account by completing the registration form.

It is intended that registered users on our learning hub will be adults in a teaching, parental or guidance role, and for the learning content to be shared with young people. By creating an account, you are agreeing to this intended use.

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scottish water - learning hub - primary education: log in to the site

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Scottish Water - Learning Hub - Primary Education: Log in to the site

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Please log in with your username and password, or create a new account by completing the registration form. It is intended that registered users on our learning hub will be adults in a teaching, parental or guidance role, and for the learning content to be shared with young people.

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This 3 min film clip gives you a great introduction to Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park

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Explore Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park 2014

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Learning about the landscape with the help of chocolate - activity resource guide

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This strategy sets out a clear, ambitious vision for how trees and woodlands are to be protected, enhanced and used within the National Park.

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Improving and restoring natural habitats in the National Park 

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Improving and restoring natural habitats in the National Park 

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Reducing your Carbon Footprint in the National Park 

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Reducing your Carbon Footprint in the National Park 

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Sustainable transport, reducing your waste and signing up to volunteer on conservation projects, there are lots of ways you can reduce your carbon footprint when visiting the National Park - watch this short clip for more details.

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Reducing your carbon footprint in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park

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The Local Development Plan’s renewable energy policies set out criteria for wind, hydro energy projects and biomass and biogas energy (heat and power) within the National Park

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Our environment is changing all the time and species will naturally die out and become extinct.

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Explore the interdependence of people and forests and the vital role forests play in sustaining our environment through exploring the Scots Pine forests and the Congo Basin rainforest.

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Our Forest Our Future - Educational resource for schools

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Explore the interdependence of people and forests and the vital role forests play in sustaining our environment

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Citizen Science is a really useful and fun way of helping the environment and expanding our scientific knowledge. Use this link to the NatureScot webpage summary.

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Why Citizen Science?

Taking part in Citizen Science is a really useful way of helping the environment and expanding our scientific knowledge. Information gathered by Citizen Scientists is vital to scientists across Scotland in understanding how the environment is doing and where more action is needed. By getting involved you really can make a difference!

There are different surveys to take part in depending on how much time you have to spend, and many of them don't require any previous knowledge. Check out these great resources spanning a range of areas, habitats and species.

Surveys

Birds

BTO Garden BirdWatch. A weekly wildlife survey where participants contribute sightings of species they have seen in their gardens. Through this we are able to monitor the fortune of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates in gardens contributing to our understanding of urban wildlife.

If you are lucky enough to have birds nesting in your garden this spring, please take part in BTO's Nesting Neighbours.

RSPB Breakfast Birdwatch. The daily Breakfast Birdwatch takes place between 8-9am - helping people to share their wildlife encounters and provide ideas for things you can do for wildlife close to home. Include #BreakfastBirdwatch when sharing updates, photos, videos, questions and comments.

Swift Surveyors in Tayside. Sightings of flying swifts and knowledge of actual nest sites. This task can be undertaken from your own garden or front door - counting the number of swifts that fly over (and repeating the survey as often as you wish between May and August). Not sure of the difference between a swift, house marten or swallow? Download the survey form and ID chart.

Amphibians and Reptiles

Recordpool. The Record Pool collects data on reptiles and amphibians in the UK and makes them available, locally and nationally, for conservation purposes. The site welcomes garden records, as well as observations made whilst out exercising locally.

Garden Dragon Watch. Gardens can provide important habitats for reptiles and amphibians. The Amphibian and Reptile Conservation's survey of these recommends spending a few minutes carefully looking in your garden and then telling them about what you find by filling in a form on your device.

Invertebrates

Cellar Spider Survey. There are only three Cellar Spider species in Britain, of which two are mostly found in homes (and not just in cellars!), making them ideal for a national survey. They are relatively easy to tell apart and often easy to find. Download details of the survey.

RHS Cellar Slug Survey. Our survey asks members of the public to submit records of Yellow Cellar Slug and Green Cellar Slug in UK gardens, along with information about your garden so we can establish any links between habitat features and where these species occur.

Beewatch is a collaborative research project between Aberdeen University and the Bumblebee Conservation Trust. This online tool uses technology to assist participants in improving their bumblebee identification skills and provides computer-generated feedback. It also uses crowd sourcing by allowing competent users to help in identifying other users' bumblebee photographs.

The UK Pollinator Monitoring Scheme (FIT Count) aims to establish how insect pollinator populations are changing across Great Britain. Carry out a FIT Count (Flower-Insect Timed Count) by taking ten minutes to sit and collect data on the total number of insects that visit a particular flower, ideally chosen from our list of 14 target flowers in your garden during warm, dry weather any time from April to September.

Garden Butterfly Survey. Record the butterflies that visit your garden over the course of a year. Create a free account, submit your sightings and help Butterfly Conservation learn more about how butterflies are faring in UK gardens.

Garden Moth Scheme. Sign up and add to the national knowledge of moth populations.

The UK Ladybird Survey aims to encourage the recording of all species of ladybird found within the UK - including the invasive harlequin ladybird. On their great website, you will find lots of information to help you find and identify species, and online forms so that you can record your observations.

Bee-fly Watch 2020. Join in with Bee-fly Watch 2020. Bee-fly Watch is now into its fifth year. These distinctive furry flies are usually on the wing from March to June, often hovering over flowers and using their long 'nose' (proboscis) to feed on nectar. Once again we are asking people to look out for bee-flies and add your records.

Plants

BSBI activities to enjoy while under lockdown, including the Garden Wildflower Hunt. A citizen science project set up by the Botanical Society of Britain & Ireland with two aims: to help us find out more about the wild plants growing in our gardens, and to give people a way to improve their plant identification skills under lockdown.

BSBI's Plant Alert is a new project aimed at discovering which garden plants have the potential to become invasive and problematic in future.

Identify the mosses in your garden with the British Bryological Society.

The Urban Flora of Scotland is a long-term survey run by the Botanical Society of Scotland. Beginners and experts in plant identification are invited to record flowering plants, ferns, mosses, liverworts, lichens, fungi and algae in towns and cities with over 1,000 inhabitants. The survey uses iRecord to capture data, or you can simply use record sheets provided. This survey aims to fill data gaps, help us understand the history of settlements, monitor impacts of climate change, and possibly identify the arrival of new invasive species.

Mammals

Mammal Web. This citizen science project enlists members of the public to upload camera trap data they capture, to help with classifying the animals pictured in camera trap footage, or both. You don't need a camera trap to take part, and you can help to build up a picture of the state of our wild mammals in the UK and beyond. Quick-start guide.

People's Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) is calling for volunteers to take part in its annual Living with Mammals survey, which started on 30th March, asking for people in Scotland and northern England in particular, to help. Volunteers across the country are needed to record sightings of wild mammals (or the signs they leave behind, such as footprints or droppings) they see in their gardens, or from their balconies or windows, to help conservationists understand how their numbers are changing.

Marine

Social media is changing the way we learn about cetaceans in remote locations and making it much easier to submit your sightings. Sightings of whales and dolphins around our shores are very useful because data are currently extremely poor and we have to rely on infrequent surveys that can only provide a snapshot of what is really going on. So, if you are lucky enough to live by the sea you can keep a watch out and then report your sightings online to the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust's Whaletrack sightings map or to the SeaWatch Foundation.

Miscellaneous

The Biological Records Centre maintains a list and links to the UK's many wildlife recording and monitoring schemes, and the National Biodiversity Network provides an online searchable database.

Nature's Calendar. What effect has recent weather had on wildlife? Does climate change affect timings in nature? Take part in the Nature's Calendar citizen science project and help scientists discover answers to these questions. Simply record the signs of spring that you can see from your window or garden.

Report non-native species to Scotland's Environment Web.

Citizen Science indoors

Zooniverse is a fantastic citizen science website where you can help researchers analyse data from real projects around the world. You might get involved with deciphering herbarium samples, watching nest box cameras or counting seabirds from photographs.

Seabird Watch is a citizen science project set up by Oxford University to find solutions to the present research gaps using cameras as a monitoring network for Arctic seabird conservation. We need your help counting birds, nests and eggs in our thousands of photos to turn them into data.

Penguin Watch is a citizen science project set up by Oxford University to find solutions to the present research gaps using cameras as a monitoring network for penguin conservation. We need your help counting penguins, chicks, nests and eggs in our thousands of photos to turn them into data.

Rainfall Rescue. Before 1961 there were actually thousands of rain gauges but the rainfall data has not been transferred from the original hand-written paper records to something digital so that it can be used in data sets. Aiming to fill in the gaps Zooniverse show you images of rainfall data and ask you to transcribe the values.

[email protected] is an online citizen science project. With the help of hundreds of volunteers, they digitise the information from the collections of wild plants held by museums and universities in the UK and beyond including the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.

The Scottish Natural Heritage grassland project helps locate and protect Scotland's remaining fragments of meadow. Read more about grasslands in the interactive story map and click the button at the end to submit records of sites that you know about.

Rainfall Observers. SEPA is looking for volunteer rainfall observers to collect data daily at around 9:00 am and submit the information online. There are currently 134 rainfall observers across Scotland who play an important part in collecting this valuable data for SEPA.

Help Forest Research to build an Urban Tree Canopy Cover map for the UK. Tree cover can vary greatly, and many towns across the world have created canopy cover targets to encourage planting and improved care of trees. It is important for us to know where we do and don't have this resource. The Canopy Cover webmap makes it quick to assess any UK ward in three simple desk-based steps. Download the detailed User Guide on how you can help.

London Bird Records. Help recover 20th century bird observations collected by the London Natural History Society.

Citizen Science in your garden

Learn how to manage our gardens to benefit wildlife from The Wildlife Trusts so that whether it is large or small, a ledge or a yard, your garden can be part of a mosaic in a wider network of natural havens linking urban greenspaces with nature reserves and the wider countryside.

SNH Making Space for Nature activities to give nature a helping hand, including being a lazy gardener!

The Butterfly Conservation free downloadable gardening guide.

Creating garden ponds is one of the best ways to encourage nature near your home and is fully explained in this downloadable guide.

The Bumblebee Conservation Trust has produced six activity sheets contain interesting facts about bumblebees plus a fun activity at the end for children and adults to enjoy doing together, including building bee and insect 'homes'.

Naturehood is a citizen science project focused on taking action for wildlife in private gardens including guidance on how balconies and gardens can help to combat habitat loss.

Hoverfly Lagoons. Create small homemade hoverfly havens from discarded milk bottles and fallen leaves. Taking part requires no extra knowledge or experience, just a few minutes each month to count larvae and collect pupae, once the lagoon is set up.

Pop-up Pocket Garden is a great project from Keep Scotland Beautiful for children and young people aged 3 - 18 years to design and grow a small garden at home and take photos and share progress.

Bringing the Outdoors In! An Activity Resource Pack from TCV Scotland of nature activities that can be done indoors or in a garden.

HogWatch at Home. A simple guide to encourage hedgehogs and report sightings from TCV Scotland and the HogWatch project.

Recording apps, data and technology

BRC Apps - make casual records from a window or garden using apps from the Biological Records Centre.

iRecord Butterflies is completely free and is available for iOS and Android devices. It will guide you through the identification of any butterfly than you see in the UK. You can compare you own photo with those from the app's extensive image library, filter species by colour, pattern and size, and see distribution maps and identification tips for each butterfly species.

If you are confident in your identification then you can submit sightings to the NBN Atlas Scotland to help build up a complete picture of Scotland's wildlife.

Want to learn more before you get started?

Check out these great resources for discovering more about our wildlife without having to leave the house!

Virtual tours, online visits and webcams

Visit and explore the Natural History Museum on Google. Delve into the Museum from home with a virtual self-guided tour of the galleries, an interactive experience about Hope the blue whale and audio guides narrated by Sir David Attenborough.

Watch the Wild in Action with the webcams provided by Wildlife Trusts across the British Isles.

A number of UK nest webcams can be watched live from CJ Wildlife Live Webcams.

A selection of webcams at key sites across Scotland can be watched from VisitScotland wildlife webcams.

If you are stuck indoors then follow these RSPB links to hear refreshing bird song on Birdsong Radio and you can also find individual bird calls.

Listen to recordings of bird calls from around the world at www.xeno-canto.org - a website for sharing recordings of sounds of wild birds.

Learning

ChatterPack is a voluntary-run, special educational needs and disabilities hub which has created a fantastic list of hundreds of online resources including some great wildlife podcasts, museums around the world, NASA Live - watch the earth from space, underwater cameras, music, languages, and learning.

The John Muir Trust and Field Studies Council have compiled a " padlet " of resources to support the STEM agenda in Scotland focussing on learning about nature.

The Field Studies Council has produced guidance for the community of educators, parents, students, explorers, and scientists during school closures.

OpenLearn online course on Citizen Science and global biodiversity. OpenLearn works with other organisations by providing free courses and resources that support their mission of opening up educational opportunities to more people in more places.

Handy websites

Discover wildlife on your doorstep, this CEH blog highlights some activities.

The Outdoor Learning Directory, supported by Scotland's forestry, environment and heritage agencies, is a great source of information on everything to do with learning outdoors, including citizen science resources aimed at young people. The News page supports home schooling and signposts new resources.

The TCV Nature Activities and Citizen Science webpages have loads of Nature Activities to do at home.

The Countryside Jobs Service has collected ideas on CJS Citizen Science, Surveys and Fieldwork

What happens to the results?

The National Biodiversity Network (NBN) is a valuable resource with maps showing the results of thousands of sightings from across the UK. Many organisations and individuals who collate species records send them to the NBN which acts as a national repository.

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Taking part in Citizen Science is a really useful way of helping the environment and expanding our scientific knowledge. Information gathered by Citizen Scientists is vital to scientists across Scotland in understanding how the environment is doing and where more action is needed. By getting involved you really can make a difference!

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As part of our Wild Park Action Programme, we're working with partners to actively manage invasive Rhododendron

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Although the following short films were produced for our previous Wild Park 2020 strategy, they are still a good way to highlight the important species and habitats.

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We need to ensure that ecosystems in the National Park are resilient to the effects that climate change is bringing to our native biodiversity and wider environment.

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Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park

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We need to ensure that ecosystems in the National Park are resilient to the effects that climate change is bringing to our native biodiversity and wider environment. These ecosystems can also help mitigate climate change by maintaining carbon stores, sequestering carbon, and storing surface water. The National Park's peatlands hold an estimated 20 million tonnes of carbon and our forests hold another 2.5 million tonnes.

Local land managers will need to adapt to a changing climate and can help mitigate against it by embracing technologies and practises that capture carbon. By taking a more integrated approach to land use planning, we can also help deliver significant adaptation to and resilience against climate change for our communities and wildlife.

The National Park is seen as a place to demonstrate and pilot innovative approaches to managing these habitats with partnerships between private and public land interests, industry, public bodies, third sector organisations, and local communities. Over decades our moorlands have been drained and eroded. We need to block those drainage systems, halt the erosion, and cover bare peat to retain water in the hills for longer. This can reduce the risk of flooding in the lowlands and move towards restoring healthy peatlands that are capturing, rather than emitting, carbon-based greenhouse gases. Our woodlands and forests are important stores of carbon, timber, and biodiversity and an expansion of woodlands will increase the value of these natural resources. These habitats provide multiple public benefits. Investment in this natural capital is a key target at a local, regional and national level. We need to focus on creating areas of native woodland and improving existing native woodland condition by reducing grazing or removing INNS, to enable a wider and more resilient woodland habitat network.

The objectives detailed below link to the indicators of success as detailed within the National Park Partnership Plan and aim to support delivery on the ground to help achieve these key indicators.
Objectives by 2023

Woodland creation:
Implement the Trees & Woodland Strategy for the National Park leading to increased woodland creation and carbon capture.

Peatland restoration:

Reduce carbon and water flows through restoration of peat bogs and raise awareness of the value of peatlands in the climate emergency.

Increase the public's understanding and appreciation of the value of peatland habitats by working in partnership to host public events and talks, visitor centre displays and increasing volunteering opportunities to get involved in improving peatland habitats e.g. constructing peat dams, removal of INNS, surveys and the Mountains and the People project.

Resilience:

Pilot the use and management of trees, woodlands, peatlands and waterways upstream to reduce the risk of downstream flooding.

Work with land managers to protect and enhance soils, and remove INNS in order to increase resilience to climate change impacts.

Investigate natural flood management options to alleviate flooding in Aberfoyle, Callander and in the Loch Lomond catchment.

Promote the management of designated sites which move these protected areas towards favourable condition.

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Climate change pressures | Respect Your Park

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We need to ensure that ecosystems in the National Park are resilient to the effects that climate change is bringing to our native biodiversity and wider environment. These ecosystems can also help mitigate climate change by maintaining carbon stores, sequestering carbon, and storing surface water.

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Case study resource on becoming a net zero organisation

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World's Largest Lesson promote use of the Sustainable Development Goals in learning so that children can contribute to a better future for all.

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We promote use of the Sustainable Development Goals in learning so that children can contribute to a better future for all. From citizenship and justice to climate change and the environment, inspire children to make a difference!

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Make your own Red Squirrel activity Calendar

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Make your own Red Squirrel activity Calendar

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Make this fun calendar to show how the changing seasons affect the red squirrel population.

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With its woodlands, mountains, tranquil lochs and glens and rocky coastline of our sea lochs, Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park is brimming with wildlife

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If we invest in nature now, it will look after us forever. 

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If we invest in nature now, it will look after us forever. 

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As part of #ScotClimateWeek in 2019, Simon Jones, our Director of Conservation & Visitor Operations blogs on why nature must be at the heart of our efforts to combat the global climate emergency.

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Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park

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As part of #ScotClimateWeek, Simon Jones, our Director of Conservation & Visitor Operations blogs on why nature must be at the heart of our efforts to combat the global climate emergency.
Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park is more than just a beautiful place to visit. It contains vital natural tools we can use to tackle the global climate emergency and now nature conservation's time has come. If we invest in nature now, it will look after us forever.

Forests, peatlands and water are the big ones. These are the things that can soak up carbon, not just now but if looked after they will continue to do so for generations.

Around 30% of the National Park (52,300ha) is covered with trees. 1ha is roughly the size of an international rugby pitch, so that's over 50,000 rugby pitches.

These trees hold approximately 2.5 million tonnes of carbon, making our woodlands a fantastic resource in the fight against climate change. And there's room for more. We work closely with landowners and are developing our new Trees and Woodland Strategy that will guide how woodlands and forests are planted and maintained in the National Park for the next twenty years. This will not only help make the National Park, and Scotland, more climate resilient but it will bring many other benefits such as biodiversity and providing a home for more native species so it's a win-win for climate and nature.

Peatlands are the Cinderella story of climate change. To most people they're not beautiful or majestic to look at but they are the often unsung hero. The peatlands of the National Park hold an estimated 20 million tonnes of carbon - nearly 10 times the amount held by the extensive forests and woodlands of the area and about 4% of the Scottish total.

Keeping peatlands healthy is important because if they are damaged, they release greenhouse gases, including carbon back in to the atmosphere. Therefore repairing damaged peatlands is crucial work in fighting climate change as they help fight both the causes and effects of climate change. As well as storing carbon they store and slowly release water helping to reduce flood risks. Basically they act like giant, upland sponges.

Through our partnership with Peatland Action and working with landowners we're aiming to restore 2000ha of peatland by 2023 - that's equivalent to about 2000 rugby pitches (or 810 football pitches if you prefer).

The value of 'blue carbon' is also being recognised more and more too. The plant communities on Scotland's coasts hold vast amounts of carbon and we have sea lochs in the National Park that we know are important to protect, both to store carbon but to make sure they are resilient to climate change.

We have areas of the National Park which are particularly vulnerable to flooding and with the changing climate, these threats are increasing. For example we've seen incidents of heavy rainfall causing flooding or landslips within the National Park this summer and we can expect these to continue to occur more often due to the warmer, wetter weather. We support communities and landowners to develop natural solutions to make them more resilient to these risks.

Of course, at the same time we have to be mindful of the fact that the National Park is a place that emits a huge amount of carbon through the volume of visitors travelling to, from and through the area by petrol and diesel vehicles.

That's a huge challenge, but as an organisation we don't shy away from encouraging responsible visitor behaviour when it has a significant impact on the environment. And it's not just about the climate, the increasing number of vehicles has an impact on roads, local communities and the visitor experience.

But making a shift to fewer car journeys is a long road. While we encourage people to use more sustainable ways to travel such as public transport or choosing active travel like cycling, we know that the options need to be available for people to make those positive choices. Working with partners to improve infrastructure and public transport links as well as providing the right information and access to active travel options will be a key part of our work in the next few years.

And it's not just about telling others what they can do, as a public body we have a responsibility to lead by example and be a climate ready organisation. We're doing that by reducing our carbon footprint and waste levels. For example we have so far switched 25% of our vehicle fleet to being electric or hybrid, replaced old inefficient lighting with LED bulbs, use renewable heat sources and engaging our workforce in ways they can help tackle climate change both at work and at home.

We don't have all the answers but we do have many tools at our fingertips (or in some cases under our feet) to tackle the global climate emergency. Now is the time and the National Park as a place and an organisation is ideally placed to be at the forefront of taking on this challenge. But we can't do it alone. Together everyone can and must help fight climate change.
#ScotClimateWeek: Scotland's Climate Week 2019 takes place from Monday 7th to Sunday 13th October. Together, we can do more to tackle the climate emergency and save our planet. Follow @lomondtrossachs and #ScotClimateWeek on Twitter for more updates on how we are helping tackle the global climate emergency, and what you can do to help.

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If we invest in nature now, it will look after us forever | Respect Your Park

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As part of #ScotClimateWeek, Simon Jones, our Director of Conservation & Visitor Operations blogs on why nature must be at the heart of our efforts to combat the global climate emergency. Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park is more than just a beautiful place to visit.

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Case study about the waterbodies in the National Park

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Tree measuring activity workbook from OWL Scotland.

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Despite decline elsewhere, we're pleased to say that black grouse numbers remain steady in the National Park.

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Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park

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Table shows:

Indicator of success - Area and condition of restored peatland

Target - 2000 hectares of peatland expansion by 2023

2018/19 figure - 166 ha

Performance - In line with target

What does this tell us?

Peatland restoration is performing as expected against the target, taking into account projects developed in 2018-19 for delivery in subsequent years. 166 hectares were delivered this year and the five projects currently in the pipeline cover a further 718 hectares.

Peatland restoration projects delivered and in the pipeline
Roll over the icons on the map to read more about the projects.
Three projects were delivered in 2018-19, two on privately-owned land and one on public land. Progress on delivery and development of projects is reflective of the positive working relationships across the programme. In reaching the target there is an assumption of continued, secured funding for peatland restoration and availability of contractors to carry out the work. It is also important to note that the year-on-year nature of the current funding model constrains delivery. For example, the impact of the severe winter weather in 2017-18 on contractors' ability to deliver in 2018-19 would have been mitigated if contracts could span financial years. Overall, effort is made to minimise the constraints of annual funding and maximise the number and reach of projects, but a multi-year funding model has the potential to increase both the security and amount of delivery.

Peatland is a vital habitat, supporting many unusual plants and insects, and it is also our most important carbon sink and a natural regulator of water flows (as shown in the video below). In October 2018 the National Park Authority hosted the International Union for Conservation of Nature Peatland Conference with delegates coming from all across the UK and beyond to hear about the need to protect and restore peatlands.

Contribution to National Outcomes

Progress on this indicator contributes to the following National Outcomes:

Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals

Progress on this indicator contributes to the following Sustainable Development Goals:

Significant contribution

Minor contribution

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Indicator 2: Peatland Restoration | Respect Your Park

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Table shows: Indicator of success - Area and condition of restored peatland Target - 2000 hectares of peatland expansion by 2023 2018/19 figure - 166 ha Performance - In line with target Peatland restoration is performing as expected against the target, taking into account projects developed in 2018-19 for delivery in subsequent years.

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Case study about the trees and woodland in the National Park

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A woodland survey produced by Plantlife Scotland focusing on Celtic Rainforest habitat: Survey is most appropriate for S4+ students (14 years +)

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Eroding peatlands release carbon and other greenhouse gasses. Repairing them is vital for the climate emergency and nature crisis.

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Peatland Restoration in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park

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Deadwood is a tree or part of a tree that has died and is in a state of decomposition. Use this TCV survey to learn more.

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Deadwood is a tree or part of a tree that has died and is in a state of decomposition. Is the deadwood in your wood dead good?

Deadwood plays a big part in nutrient recycling, slowly releasing nitrogen into the soil for other plants to use. It acts as a carbon storage system, capturing carbon and locking it into the ground. Fallen deadwood also helps the stability of woodland soil and helps prevent soil erosion.

Deadwood is an important micro habitat for birds, mammals, fungi, plants, amphibians, reptiles, insects and even fish!
Find out more about deadwood here

The Deadwood Survey

Is the deadwood in your wood dead good? Find out for yourself with this simple survey. It should take no more than an hour to complete.

Any piece of woodland will do, as long as it is at least 100 square metres in area. Ancient woodland, forestry plantations, trees growing on urban wasteland, wood pasture and scrub are all fine.
Complete the survey online

What you will need

Here's a list of what you'll need to complete a survey (download them or request that we send them to you):

Other useful equipment:

Pencil

Camera (or smartphone)

Collection pots and magnifier

Plastic spoons or trowel

Light coloured collection tray

Coloured ribbon

Calculator (or mobile phone with calculator)

Send me the resources above by post

Carrying out the Deadwood Survey

You can do the Deadwood Survey as a group or by yourself. You can complete it online or on paper and send it to us.

Before you go out to the woodland, answer questions 1-8 (page 4 of the survey booklet). Once you get outside, there are two parts to the survey:

1. How much deadwood can you see? (pages 5-6)
The 100 pace transect

2. How old is the deadwood? (pages 7-14)
Estimating the age of each piece

We would love to hear what you found on the survey including what wildlife and insects you discovered. You can submit your survey online or:

Email us a scanned copy or photograph of your results to deadwood@tcv.org.uk

Or send your paper copy (or photocopy) to us at:

The Conservation Volunteers,
Unit M1,
143 Charles Street,
Glasgow,
G21 2QA.
Thank you for taking part in the dead good Deadwood Survey! Complete the survey online

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The dead good Deadwood Survey from TCV Scotland

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Deadwood plays a big part in nutrient recycling, slowly releasing nitrogen into the soil for other plants to use. It acts as a carbon storage system, capturing carbon and locking it into the ground. Fallen deadwood also helps the stability of woodland soil and helps prevent soil erosion.

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Handy guide that links to all the National Park activity achieved during COP26

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A search and find activity booklet to identify and learn more about some of Scotland’s native tree species produced by the Forth Fisheries Trust.

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NatureScot have this helpful webpage that explains how the unprecedented rate of human-induced climate change threatens plants and animals unable to adapt quickly enough to its effects.

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Climate change impacts in Scotland | Scottish Natural Heritage

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Climate influences the landform processes that shape Scotland's mountains, rivers and coasts, and maintain our habitats, ecosystems and landscapes. Thus climate change will affect the dynamics of these processes, and in turn the rocks, landforms and soils upon which plants, animals and humans live.

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Learn to become a skilled otter spotter with this handy booklet developed by the Forth Fisheries Trust.

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There are many ways the landscapes and wildlife of our National Parks in the UK will be affected by Climate Change.

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Climate change is happening and is due to human activity. It includes global warming and greater risk of flooding, droughts and heat waves.
There are many ways the landscapes and wildlife of our National Parks will be affected.
However, our range of habitats, including mountains, moorlands, forests, grasslands and wetlands, can help combat climate change if managed correctly.

The impacts of climate change

There are many changes associated with the changing climate, some of these are:

Too much rainfall causes flooding that can damage habitats, disrupt wildlife and erode peatlands. Unpredictable weather, such as storms, can cause severe erosion of coastal areas.

Drought conditions can dry out our woodland and moorland, so that fires are easily started. These fires can spread and damage large areas of peatland, moorland and woodland habitats.

Increased periods of warmer weather have the effect of increasing the number of visitors to our National Parks. This can result in more pollution and litter, traffic congestion, accidental fires and more carbon dioxide emissions.

Many species living in our National Parks may struggle to adapt to the rapid change in temperatures and weather conditions.

Did you know?

Climate change is the long-term shift in average weather patterns and temperatures across the world.

Create pollination corridors in the South Downs

Restore damaged habitat in the Cairngorms.

Secure the future of woodlands in Snowdonia

Helpful habitats

Peatlands such as bogs, fens and marshes act as sponges that soak up and store carbon dioxide that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere and contribute to global warming. Trees in our woodlands and forests absorb carbon dioxide and other harmful gases and create oxygen.

Manage flooding

Our Parks provide both natural and man-made areas intended to become flooded, helping to prevent residential areas being flooded and land, lakes, rivers and wetlands being damaged. Some also have lakes and reservoirs that allow water to be conserved and supply managed.

Responsible tourism

National Park Authorities help minimise the impact of climate change through the promotion of green tourism and sustainable travel, and we educate the public on the negative impacts of climate change.

#nationalparksuk

National Parks are stunning. Instagram is a great way to follow us. You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter.

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Climate change is happening and is due to human activity. It includes global warming and greater risk of flooding, droughts and heat waves. There are many ways the landscapes and wildlife of our National Parks will be affected. However, our range of habitats, including mountains, moorlands, forests, grasslands and wetlands, can help combat climate change if managed correctly.

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A fun filled activity booklet to inspire the whole family to get on your wellies and explore the beasties & bugs of our wonderfully wild ponds & rivers produced by the Forth Fisheries Trust

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Launched as part of their Big 5 campaign, NatureScot's funbook features mini profiles of the otter, harbour seal, red deer, red squirrel and golden eagle

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Learn about invasive non-native (Alien) species with this educational resource developed by
The Scottish Invasive Species Initiative (SISI)
– ‘Alien Detectives’.  It is full of exciting, challenging and fun activities.

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Alien Detectives | Scottish Invasive Species Initiative

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You'll find presentations, activities, worksheets, quizzes, crafts, puzzles and games, all themed around invasive alien species and the river environment which can all be downloaded and shared. There is an introductory presentation to start you off and all activities have notes and answer sheets to help you along - so you don't need any prior knowledge to use and enjoy them.

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Cool Seas Explorers - teach on the beach

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Cool Seas Explorers - teach on the beach

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Excellent resource produced by Marine Conservation Society (MCS) packed with games, activities and advice for a fun-filled, educational day at the beach with your class or group.

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Outdoor Learning and Learning for Sustainability Wakelet from Education Scotland.

This Wakelet is a collection of links to online resources to support outdoor learning and Learning for Sustainability
These links could take you to the National Improvement Hub, Glow, Websites or YouTube

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Welcome to the Outdoor Learning and Learning for Sustainability Wakelet from Education Scotland. This Wakelet is a collection of links to online resources to support outdoor learning and Learning for Sustainability These links could take you to the National Improvement Hub, Glow, Websites or YouTube.

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Maps, data, resources and useful links about Scotland’s environment, for use in the classroom – all of which have been carefully matched with Curriculum for Excellence levels and National Qualifications

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Maps, data, resources and useful links about Scotland's environment, for use in the classroom - all of which have been carefully matched with Curriculum for Excellence levels and National Qualifications.

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Maps, data, resources and useful links about Scotland's environment, for use in the classroom - all of which have been carefully matched with Curriculum for Excellence levels and National Qualifications.

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STEM By Nature resources
FSC Scotland and the John Muir Trust have made the following  Information & Resources padlet - for anyone to access and to help build partnerships.

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A new programme of professional learning helps educators make connections between STEM skills, wild places and outdoor learning approaches

Teachers from Tayside have evaluated the 'STEM By Nature' programme, helping to show how this approach not only promotes links between STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths) learning and the outdoors, but also helps build teacher and educator confidence to explore new ideas and methods.

Designed and delivered by FSC (Field Studies Council) Scotland and the John Muir Trust, STEM By Nature supports practitioners to raise attainment and deliver inspirational, high quality interdisciplinary STEM teaching. At the same time, it's raising the profile and potential of nature as a classroom and a source of learning across the curriculum.

FSC Scotland and the John Muir Trust have made a suite of learning sessions freely available online (see below). The Scottish Government provided support because amplifying the ideas and impact of STEM By Nature supports its STEM Strategy.

This Tayside pilot - supported by Education Scotland's Enhancing Professional Learning in STEM Grants Programme - has combined in-person delivery and online sessions with local learning tasks. It has incorporated Citizen Science, Sustainable Development Goals and Climate as well as hands-on activity ideas from lichen walks to bird and worm surveys to tree planting and gardening. The programme helps recognise pupil entitlement for Learning for Sustainability, as well as addressing gender and equity engagement challenges.

Forty five educational practitioners, across three Tayside hubs, have been involved since September 2019 and their feedback was positive:
"Fantastic ideas for learning. Activities, access to resources, links to organisations and other schemes and awards - joined up thinking to bridge STEM and nature". "It's been great, really enjoyed it - a good mix of webinar and face to face support."
Next steps

Plans are under way for phase 2, expanding the pilot to include Fife region. The programme will be delivered through online learning. An interdisciplinary approach will be supported, incorporating different subject areas and building skills in enquiry-based learning. Practitioners (from primary, secondary, ASN and CLD) are invited to commit 10 hours of participation between September 2020 and March 2021 including online twilight sessions (provided by FSC Scotland and the John Muir Trust) and trialling techniques and resources with their own pupils. This professional learning programme is free of charge for schools and participating establishments within the Tayside and Fife region thanks to funding from Education Scotland. For more information and to book click here.

STEM By Nature resources

FSC Scotland and the John Muir Trust have made the following sessions freely available online (with Climate and Coasts & Waters to follow) - along with a supporting Information & Resources padlet - for anyone to access and to help build partnerships.

STEM By Nature - An Introduction
This session explores what is meant by STEM By Nature and how it can be applied.

STEM By Nature & Citizen Science
This session explores STEM By Nature in relation to Citizen Science and Social Action.

STEM By Nature & Sustainable Development Goals
This session explores STEM By Nature in relation to relevant Sustainable Development Goals.
The John Muir Trust and FSC Scotland recognises that connection to wild places is vital for health and wellbeing and asks that anyone who uses these resources does so within current UK Government Coronavirus guidance. Image: Marion Skene

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A new programme of professional learning helps educators make connections between STEM skills, wild places and outdoor learning approaches Teachers from Tayside have evaluated the 'STEM By Nature' programme, helping to show how this approach not only promotes links between STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths) learning and the outdoors, but also helps build teacher and educator confidence to explore new ideas and methods.

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Great resources available from Outdoor and Woodland (OWL) Scotland -

Developing and disseminating resources for outdoor and woodland learning

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Scotland’s Outdoor Learning Directory aims to provide a portal to services supporting outdoor learning which are provided by Scottish Government funded Environmental Bodies.

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Scotland's Outdoor Learning Directory aims to provide a portal to services supporting outdoor learning which are provided by these Scottish organisations.

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Biology - The Great Trossachs Forest education resource

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Biology - The Great Trossachs Forest education resource

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These resources from The Great Trossachs Forest will help you deliver high quality learning for pupils studying biology at Secondary School, including topics such as Climate Change, Biodiversity and grazing.

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These resources will help you deliver high quality learning for pupils studying biology at Secondary School. Teaching and learning outcomes for: Nationals 3, 4 and 5 Life on Earth Units as well as Added Value Unit and Skills for learning, life and work.

Introduction

Biology Introduction Sheet [ .PDF / .DOC ]

Biology Curriculum Links [ .PDF / .DOC ] Updated Jan 2013

Worksheets

Biodiversity in The Great Trossachs Forest [ .PDF / .DOC ]

Climate Change Fact Sheet [ .PDF / .DOC ]

Grazing Fact Sheet [ .PDF / .DOC ]

Suggested Activities

Field based Activities [ .PDF / .DOC ] Updated Jan 2013

Classroom Activities [ .PDF/ .DOC]

Download all files

Download all files [ .PDF / .DOC] Updated Jan 2013

For a hard copy of this pack, or for help and more information with organising your visit please contact:

Sue Morris, TGTF Project Manager
Email: suemorris@thegreattrossachsforest.co.uk
Tel: 01877 376340 / 07775 034851

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Biology Introduction Sheet [ .PDF / .DOC ] Biology Curriculum Links [ .PDF / .DOC ] Updated Jan 2013 Biodiversity in The Great Trossachs Forest [ .PDF / .DOC ] Climate Change Fact Sheet [ .PDF / .DOC ] Grazing Fact Sheet [ .PDF / .DOC ] Field based Activities

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John Muir Award Climate and Nature Action report for Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park 

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John Muir Award Climate and Nature Action report for Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park 

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Read how the John Muir Award helps groups take action for the climate and nature in the National Park and ways you can get involved.