European Environment and Sustainable Development Advisory Councils | Bodies

The 2009 SNH Conference ''The Changing Nature of Scotland'' places Scotland's nature and the wider environment in an international context and review drivers of change - notably climate, land use, social issues and the economy. It takes place in Perth 17th - 18th September.

Background and Mission

Establishment

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is a non-departmental public body, responsible through the Scottish Government Ministers to the Scottish Parliament. It is funded by Government and Board members are appointed by Scottish Ministers. SNH was established in 1992 through the Natural Heritage (Scotland) Act 1991.

Mission

Board Members

The SNH Board has 12 Members and it determines the objectives, strategies and policies of SNH, in the light of the SNH’s statutory obligations and guidance from the Scottish Government. It is supported in this work by the Local Advisers Forum, a Scientific Advisory Committee, a Protected Areas Committee and an Audit and Risk Management Committee.

Chair Andrew Thin	Chair of the John Muir Trust Member of the SNH North Area Board Member of Crofters Commission Board
Deputy Chair Keith Geddes	Chair of Greenspace Scotland Former Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council and President of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities Policy Director with Pagoda Public Relations
Members Amanda Bryan	Former Chair of the North Areas Board Consultant specialising in rural and community development in the Highlands and Islands Principal of Aigas Associates Former Chair of BBC Scotland’s Scottish Rural Affairs and Agriculture Advisory Committee
Andrew Campbell	Farmer and Member of the National Farmers Union (NFU) Former Chair of the Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group Vice President of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities
David Crawley	Former senior civil servant Member of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) Chair of the Audit Committee of the Wales Office and a Commissioner of Queen Victoria School Dunblane Trustee of the Kinloch Castle Trust Chair of the Central Scotland Forest Trust
Michelle Francis	Former Chair of the East Areas Board Member of the SNH Audit & Risk Management Committee Freelance consultant specialising in environmental and sustainability management for business, in particular in the transport sector Senior Associate to consulting firm Arthur D. Little Former Head of Environment for Network Rail and Environment Manager for Railtrack in Scotland
Dr James Hunter	Director for the UHI Centre for History Chair of the Isle of Eigg Heritage Trust Director Highland Birchwoods Vice Chair of Highland 2007 Former Chair Highlands and Islands Enterprise Author, journalist and broadcaster Former director of the Scottish Crofters Union (now the Scottish Crofting Foundation)
Patrick Hunter Blair	Former Director of Policy and Standards for the Forest Service in Northern Ireland Founding chair of the Northern Ireland Native Woodland Group Former Northern Ireland representative on the UK Native Woodland Habitat Action Co-ordinating Group Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Foresters Director of the Kinloch Castle Trust, of Forward Scotland and of the Scottish Woodfuel Group; Member of the South Scotland Forestry Forum, and of the River Girvan District Salmon Fishery Board
Dr. David Mackay	Member of the north region Board of SEPA (Previously Director of the region) Former Chair of EnviroCentre (an environmental consultancy company) 2001-2004 visiting professor from of the University of Strathclyde Chair of the Sea Trout Group Former President of the Scottish Anglers National Association Founder Chair of the Moray Firth Partnership Member of the Grampian Regional Forest Forum
Dr. Joan Mitchell	Former councillor in Dumfries and Galloway (e.g. as deputy leader and chair of Planning and Environment) Partner in a family farming business Former Chair of Dumfries and Galloway Tourist Board and Dumfries and Galloway Access Forum. Director of Southern Upland Partnership Chair of Dumfries and Galloway Area Tourism Partnership
Prof. Phil Thomas	Chair of the SNH Audit & Risk Management Committee Chair of the Scottish Salmon Producers Association and of the Scottish Aquaculture Code of Good Practice Management Committee Board member of Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) Chair of the QMS R&D Committee Member of the British Pig Health and Welfare Council and of the Scottish Advisory Committee of Linking Environment and Farming Previously active at the University of Leeds, Hannah Research Institute, West of Scotland College and University of Glasgow and Former Principal and Chief Executive of the Scottish Agricultural College

Staff Members

SNH staff represent all the major disciplines and areas of expertise in the natural heritage required to deliver its remit. There are around 800 staff working from 40 offices located throughout Scotland, including 11 Area-based teams. The SNH Management Team, led by Ian Jardine (Chief Executive), work closely with the SNH Board, Local Advisors and Committees to achieve the overall aims and objectives of SNH.

Work Style

Tasks of the Council

SNH's remit comes from the Natural Heritage (Scotland) Act 1991. Its purposes are to promote the care and improvement, responsible enjoyment, greater understanding and appreciation and sustainable use of the natural heritage, now and for future generations. Scotland's natural heritage is its wildlife, habitats, landscapes and natural beauty and includes the rocks, soils, landforms and water on which these are based.

Substructure and Working Groups

The staffing structure of SNH is shown in the SNH Organisational Chart and can be summarised as follows:

The SNH Board determines the objectives, strategies and policies of SNH, in the light of SNH's statutory obligations and guidance from the Scottish Executive. It is supported in this work by the Local Advisers Forum, a Scientific Advisory Committee and an Audit and Risk Management Committee. For further details on SNH's Board and Committees, see this link.

SNH Meetings

How does SNH work?

Being open and accountable: Being open and accountable is central to the way in which SNH works. This is apparent in its Board and Committee structure and reporting and adherance to its Customer Care standards.

Providing grants: SNH provides around 500 grants per year to help people and a range of organisations, primarily in the Third Sector, to protect and improve Scotland's nature and landscapes, and to encourage people to understand, enjoy and look after these.

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH)

Dualchas Nadair na h-Alba

Current and Future Activities

Present and Future Priority Fields: