Editing NatureScot (section)

{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2017}}
{{short description|Scottish government agency for natural heritage conservation}}
{{Infobox government agency
| name            = NatureScot
| native_name     = {{native name|gd|NàdarAlba}}
| type            = Organisation
| logo            = NatureScot logo.PNG
| logo_size       = 300
| logo_caption    = 
| logo_alt        = 
| image           = Great_Glen_House_Inverness.jpg
| image_size      = 
| image_caption   = Great Glen House in [[Inverness]], headquarters of NatureScot
| image_alt       = 
| formed          = {{Start date and age|1992}} (as Scottish Natural Heritage)
| preceding1      = [[Nature Conservancy Council|Nature Conservancy Council for Scotland]]
| preceding2      = [[Countryside Commission for Scotland]]
| dissolved       = 
| superseding1    = 
| superseding2    = <!-- up to |superseding6= -->
| agency_type     = [[Non-departmental public body|Executive non-departmental public body]]
| jurisdiction    = Scotland
| status          = 
| headquarters    = Great Glen House, [[Inverness]]
| coordinates     = <!-- {{coord|LATITUDE|LONGITUDE|type:landmark_region:US|display=inline,title}} -->
| motto           = 
| employees       = 814 (Q4 2024)<ref name=pbsg/>
| budget          = £68.8m (2022–23)<ref name=report2022-23>{{cite web|url=https://www.nature.scot/sites/default/files/2024-02/naturescot-annual-report-january-2023-accessible.pdf|title=SNH Annual Report and Accounts 2022-23|publisher=NatureScot|access-date=25 October 2024}}</ref>
| minister_type   = 
| minister1_name  = 
| minister1_pfo   = 
| minister2_name  = 
| minister2_pfo   = <!-- up to |minister8_name= -->
| deputyminister_type = 
| deputyminister1_name = 
| deputyminister1_pfo = 
| deputyminister2_name = 
| deputyminister2_pfo = <!-- up to |deputyminister8_name= -->
| chief1_name     = Nick Halfhide
| chief1_position = [[Chief executive officer|Chief Executive]]
| chief2_name     = Prof. Colin Galbraith
| chief2_position = [[Chairperson]]
| parent_department = [[Scottish Government]] (Environment and Forestry Directorate)
| parent_agency   = 
| parent_agency_type = <!-- defaults to |type if left blank -->
| child1_agency   = 
| child2_agency   = <!-- up to |child25_agency= -->
| keydocument1    = <!-- up to |keydocument6= -->
| website         = {{Official URL}}
| agency_id       = 
| map             = 
| map_size        = 
| map_caption     = 
| map_alt         = 
| footnotes       = 
| embed           = 
}}

'''NatureScot''' ({{langx|gd|NàdarAlba}}) is an [[Scottish public bodies#Executive NDPBs|executive non-departmental public body]]<ref name=pbsg>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.scot/publications/national-public-bodies-directory/pages/executive-non-departmental-public-bodies/|title=National public bodies directory - Executive non-departmental public bodies|access-date=25 October 2024|publisher=Scottish Government|date=19 June 2024}}</ref> of the [[Scottish Government]] responsible for Scotland’s [[natural heritage]], especially its [[nature|natural]], [[genetics|genetic]] and scenic diversity. It advises the [[Scottish Government]] on nature conservation, and acts as a government agent in the delivery of [[conservation designation]]s, i.e. [[national nature reserve (Scotland)|national nature reserve]]s, [[local nature reserve]]s, [[National parks of Scotland|national parks]], [[Site of Special Scientific Interest|Sites of Special Scientific Interest]] (SSSIs), [[Special Area of Conservation|Special Areas of Conservation]], [[Special Protection Area]]s and the [[national scenic area (Scotland)|national scenic areas]]. It receives annual funding from the Scottish Government in the form of Grant in Aid to deliver government priorities for Scotland’s natural heritage.

NatureScot is the Scottish Government's adviser on all aspects of nature, wildlife management and landscape in Scotland, and also helps the Scottish Government meet its responsibilities under EU environmental laws, particularly in relation to the [[Habitats Directive]] and the [[Birds Directive]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://jncc.gov.uk/our-work/european-reporting/#habitats-directive-reporting|title=European Reporting|publisher=JNCC|access-date=3 September 2020}}</ref> The agency currently employs in the region of 700 people, but much of NatureScot's work is carried out in partnership with others including local authorities, government bodies, voluntary environmental bodies, community groups, farmers and land managers. The body has offices in most parts of Scotland including the main islands. NatureScot works closely with the [[Joint Nature Conservation Committee]] (JNCC) and the equivalent bodies for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland to ensure a consistent approach to nature conservation throughout the United Kingdom and to fulfilling the United Kingdom’s international obligations.

The agency was established in 1992 as Scottish Natural Heritage.<ref name="Natural Heritage (Scotland) Act 1991" /> In November 2019, it was announced that it would rebrand as NatureScot,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nature.scot/national-nature-agency-become-naturescot|title=National nature agency to become 'NatureScot'|access-date=19 November 2019|date=19 November 2019|publisher=Scottish Natural Heritage|archive-date=19 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200119215847/https://www.nature.scot/national-nature-agency-become-naturescot|url-status=dead}}</ref> a change which took effect on 24 August 2020.<ref name=rebrand/> The body’s statutory name remains Scottish Natural Heritage.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nature.scot/doc/naturescot-framework-directive|title=NatureScot Framework Document|website=NatureScot}}</ref>