Nature Networks Toolbox - workshop summary

Overview

The Nature Networks Toolbox will be a ‘live’ resource for local authorities, partnerships, organisations, and groups, to facilitate the design and implementation of Nature Networks at the local and regional level.  This will allow for efficiencies in designing and implementing Nature Networks and support strong alignment in approaches across Scotland. The Toolbox will evolve over time and its contents decided through working with target users to ensure it provides the information that can lead to practical implementation activities.

A series of three workshops were run during November/December 2023. These workshops were targeted at Local Authorities to better understand what content they thought was needed for the developing Nature Network Toolbox (a commitment of the draft Nature Networks Framework and SBS Delivery Plan). Over 100 participants, from 28 Local Authorities, alongside closely associated delivery partners attended.

As the Nature Networks Toolbox is to be a shared resource, facilitating peer to peer learning, participants were encouraged to not just offer ideas of resources for inclusion but also highlight those organisations or individuals who might be best placed to provide these materials.

This process of engagement will need to subsequently be carried out with other core groups that will have key roles in Nature Networks, notably land managers, community groups and organisations operating within the third sector.

Content

The majority of the workshop was open discussion using a draft structure for the Toolbox. This included suggestions and discussions under existing headings of Case Studies, Data and Mapping, Funding, Guidance, and Expertise Hub.  Participants were encouraged not to feel bound by these sections and promote any tools they felt were needed. The detailed outputs of this discussion are summaries in the table below, with similar suggestions from separate workshops combined.

In addition to the open discussion a series of polls and ‘word clouds’ were run to give a snapshot of opinion in the room on specific areas.

Participants were asked where they felt the Toolbox should be hosted, with 83% of those indicating that either the NatureScot or Scottish Government website would be most appropriate with an overall preference for the NatureScot website to host.

When asked via a word cloud ‘What do you think is important to consider/include in the Nature Network framework?’ there were over two hundred responses covering a broad range of themes.

The most frequent suggestions related to mapping, data, guidance, funding, connectivity, and case studies (see image below). These themes aligning well with existing thinking that had been informed/captured through the co-design process of the draft framework.

Toolbox Theme: Guidance

There was an ask for more guidance to be provided on a range of themes, including sector specific guidance, particularly for Local Authorities.  
(N.B. The “asks” below are indicative of the responses received, and may not be comprehensive of all additional guidance requirements.) 

Process and Responsibilities Guidance 

• Further guidance on the intended purpose of Nature Networks and what is expected
• Guidance summarising Nature Networks in their simplest form, clearly highlighting Local/Planning Authority roles and responsibilities 
• More detailed guidance on Local/Planning Authority requirements at each stage in the process (eg. design, consolidation and implementation)
• Guidance on how different Local Authority functions/departments can interact and support Nature Networks (support with case studies of good practice) 
• How to scale up Nature Network mapping and delivery to regional level
• How to use placemaking approaches to deliver Nature Networks 
• Frequently Asked Questions Guide

Operational guidance

• Engagement guidance, particularly concerning the consultation process (eg. who to engagement and how to engage with sensitive stakeholders) and how best to work with communities and others to do delivery 
• Guidance on effective communication, including tailoring language for different groups and specific sectors and ‘jargon busting’ guidance for non-specialists
• Policy guidance including what are the statutory duties and requirements of NPF4 (policy 3), alignment with other national policies such as forestry, and how to include Nature Networks in Local Development Plans (LDPs) and other Authority Plans, Policies and Strategies.
• Guidance for those in operational roles, such as ground maintenance. 
• How Nature Networks can deliver multiple benefits and for multiple policy objectives 
• Approaches to Nature Network design (cf Local Nature Conservation Sites process)

Ecological guidance

• Further guidance on what makes up a Nature Network and what features do not count towards one, expanding on the current content of the draft Nature Network Framework. 
• What does a “good” Nature Network look like in practice? What is sufficient vs what is gold standard?  
• What should the priorities for a Nature Network be? Is there a “hierarchy of delivery”? 
• Guidance regarding specific habitats (eg. Wetlands)
• When is connectivity not positive and implications for Invasive Non-Native Species 
• How is connectivity assessed from an ecological perspective? 

Guidance on monitoring and evidence

• How to assess current habitat and ground truth network opportunity maps 
• How can success be measured
• FAQs on the EcoUplift (AECOM) Tool

Toolbox Theme: Case Studies

Case studies are a beneficial way to share experience and learning. Suggested case studies that were considered valuable included;

• Examples of good practice to facilitate peer learning, 
• Ways in which current practices (across all sectors, not just LAs) can be modified to incorporate Nature Networks delivery, 
• A good mixture of case studies from rural and urban environments,
• Case studies from a range of sectors/ delivery mechanisms (i.e. rural land managers vs LAs, different finance models etc),  
• Clear examples outlining the whole Nature Network process, from initiation through to project delivery,
• Case studies at different scales, from local to national,
• Case studies of successful engagement with a range of stakeholders,
• Case studies where available data has been used,
• Examples where connectivity has demonstrably been improved.

Toolbox Theme: Data and Tools

A resource-light approach is preferred, with accessible data and clear and simple to use tools being provided. 

• Prioritise signposting to already existing open source data.
• Wish for tools that capture additional benefits of nature networks and/or meet other policy objectives to also be signposted.  
• Guidance on the agreed data requirements for the LDP process.
• The availability (particularly at a local level), quality, resolution and age of data were highlighted as concerns. This should be flagged in someway.
• A way to support aligning networks across regions, by connecting neighbouring LAs was highlighted as a priority. 
• Project hubs to help list project opportunities and connect with delivery partners. 
• A number of already existing data layers and tools were suggested to signpost to including NESBRec Habitat Layer for North East Scotland and Forestry Grant Scheme Target Woodlands For Riparian Benefits. 

Toolbox Theme: Funding

• Guidance on funding for all phases on Nature Network design and delivery including signposting to existing funding mechanisms.
• Advice on how Nature Networks can be delivered through multiple funding mechanisms including for other policy priorities, private finance and off-site compensation funds.
• It’d be helpful for funding mechanisms to be identified by user group, for example funding that can be accessed by communities vs landowners. 
• More guidance on the role of Positive Effects for Biodiversity (PEfB) is required.
• Opportunities to fund local data collection should be highlighted where available. 

Toolbox Theme: Expertise Hub 

• Information on where expert information can be accessed.
• There is an opportunity to share resources, learning and expertise, for example LAs who are progressing can share their outputs. 
• Suggestions that a hub could act as a forum for all stakeholders to advertise opportunities and needs, and connect with others (be it individuals/groups/organisations) that are able to do delivery.

Other 

Feedback received included general suggestions for the formatting and presentation of the Toolbox. Some issues raised, such as the availability of quality data, were noted but sit outwith the scope of Toolbox development at this time.

• The Toolbox must be kept up to date, user-friendly and time-saving. 
• The Toolbox content must be relevant to all key audiences. 
• The Toolbox content should continue to be directed jointly with stakeholders and be responsive to requests for guidance/ resources as required. 
• A news/ updates page would be helpful to see progress and changes. 
• The Toolbox could provide a way to connect organisations together and communicate locally/ regionally.
   

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