GWCT News Blog

On 16th December 2024, NatureScot announced the automatic extension of trap registrations until 31 December 2025. This gives registered trappers time to prepare for the new Wildlife Trap Licence under the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Act 2024

Following the outstanding success of our autumn training courses, with over 400 certificates issued, we’re thrilled to announce new training dates for February 2025. 

Coming to the end of 2024 and looking forward to 2025 it is safe to say that just shy of £15000 had been raised for the GWCT through the HOLTS Charity Lots Programme this year.

Defra has unveiled the new Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) scheme, a key part of its Environmental Land Management (ELM) initiative. 

The GWCT Advisory Service Scotland has successfully concluded its 2024 training sessions, ensuring compliance with the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Act 2024. 2025 courses begin in February, book your place now.

The GWCT’s Allerton Project demonstration farm has joined the Central England branch of the Environmental Farmers Group.

On 1 December, the picturesque grounds of Fingask Castle came alive with creativity and excitement as 60 young budding artists and their families gathered to celebrate the winners of our annual Scottish schools art competition.

Our soils are at risk, and nitrous oxide emissions play a big role in the environmental challenge. Discover how innovative practices can help mitigate this silent threat.

In this blog, Joe Stanley, Head of Sustainable Farming at the GWCT Allerton Project, explores why cutting agri-environment schemes like the Countryside Stewardship Capital Grant is a shortsighted move. He highlights how these cuts erode farmers’ trust, delay critical environmental progress, and risk pushing agriculture toward unsustainable intensification. Joe argues that investing in nature-friendly farming is essential for achieving climate, biodiversity, and food security goals, warning that failing to do so now will lead to far greater costs in the future.

With Defra allocating £5 billion to farming and the environment over the next two years, here’s a breakdown of what’s changing and how it could impact you.