European Environment and Sustainable Development Advisory Councils | Bodies

The SNH is a Government body responsible to the Scottish Executive and Scottish Parliament. It is the statutory adviser on natural heritage matters in Scotland. The SNH was created in 1992 by the Natural Heritage (Scotland) Act, 1991, with a Board, appointed by Scottish Ministers, who are responsible for determining the strategy and disposition of resources for the SNH and for monitoring and reporting progress.

Mission

The SNH corporate strategy sets out the background for our work. It gives details of its goals and main priorities. It has four main themes. For more information on them, please follow the links below to our corporate strategy .

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 Executive. In addition to this main Board, there are three Area Boards, covering the West, East and North Areas of Scotland with up to 11 members each, and a Scientific Advisory Committee of seven scientists. Their term of appointment differs.

Chairman Andrew Thin	Chairman of the John Muir Trust Member of the SNH North Area Board Member of Crofters Commission Board
Deputy Chair Keith Geddes	Chairman of Greenspace Scotland Policy Director with Pagoda Public Relations
Members Amanda Bryan	Chairman of the North Areas Board Consultant specialising in rural and community issues in the Highlands Principal of Aigas Associates Chair of BBC Scotland’s Scottish Rural Affairs and Agriculture Advisory Committee
Andrew Campbell	Farmer. Member of the National Farmers Union (NFU) at an area level
David Crawley	Former senior civil servant Member of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, (JNCC)
Michelle Francis	Chairman of the East Areas Board and a 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
Dr James Hunter	CBE FRSE. Director for the UHI Centre for History Chairman of the Isle of Eigg Heritage Trust Vice Chairman of Highland 2007
Patrick Hunter Blair	Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Foresters Director of Forward Scotland Member of the South Scotland Forestry Forum Member of the River Girvan District Salmon Fishery Board
Dr. David Mackay	OBE, Member of Cairngorms National Park Outdoor Access Forum and Grampian Regional Forest Forum
Dr. Joan Mitchell	Director of Southern Upland Partnership Director of Scottish Enterprise Dumfries and Galloway
Julia Sturrock	Councilor in Dundee since 1988 Chairman of the Dundee Furniture Project and Sustain Dundee Environmental Trust Vicechair of the Dundee Solar City Project Board Member of Recycling Institute Convener of Environmental Services and Sustainability
Prof. Phil Thomas	Chairman of the Audit & Risk Management Committee Director of Artilus Ltd Chairman of the Central Scotland Forest Trust Director of the Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture Initiative Member of the British Pig Health and Welfare Council and the Scottish Advisory Committee of Linking Environment and Farming

Staff Members

There are around 600 staff at the SNH working from more than 40 offices throughout Scotland. Over 100 staff is involved in providing corporate scientific and technical support to 12 Area based teams and to the National Strategy Unit dealing with policy development. Ian Jardine is the Chief Executive.

Work Style

Tasks of the the SNH

The SNH has a broad remit to protect Scotland's natural heritage and to help people to enjoy, understand and use it more wisely. The remit combines care and protection of the natural beauty and wildlife of Scotland, with promoting access and enjoyment of it, and facilitating an understanding and appreciation of its value. Since its establishment in 1992, it has been recognised that the achievement of these goals depends on fostering the interest of people in many aspects of he SNH's work, through increased awareness and understanding, active support and involvement.

Substructure and Working Groups

Management Team (6): Chief Executive; 3 Strategy & Operational Directors; 1 Director Specialist Advice services; 1 Director of Corporate matters.

SNH Meetings

Type of Advice

A key element of the SNH policy development is advising Government and others on a wide range of issues. The SNH advises government on the development of policy and the formulation of legislation relating to the natural heritage. The SNH also has a major role in increasing awareness and understanding of countryside and conservation matters and carry out consultations on behalf of government.

The SNH responds to Government consultations and draw together views on issues affecting the natural heritage through public consultation work.

Activities in the EEAC Network

List of Publications Available in English

A wide range of reports are available targeted at various audiences. A full list of publications can be obtained by visiting this link: The SNH publications

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH)

Dualchas Nadair na h-Alba

Current and Future Activities

Present and Future Priority Fields

Background and Mission

Establishment