New project to promote natural capital cooperation

Dr Sally Reynolds

The Natural Capital Community Partnerships (NCCP) project aims to establish fair and practical examples of projects where communities, developers and landowners work together to share in the benefits of natural capital investment.

The new unit will be led by Dr Sally Reynolds, who has significant experience working in community development. It will have a team of four staff and will work within Community Land Scotland and in partnership with the Scottish Land Commission.

The Community Land Scotland team will work as part of a network of advisers across Scotland including the newly appointed Community Benefits from Nature Adviser employed by the Scottish Land Commission in partnership with the Cairngorms National Park Authority.

“We want to promote understanding and cooperation between different parties”, said Dr Reynolds. “We want to encourage open conversation and early dialogue between communities, landowners and developers.”

She added: “Well-managed peatland or wetland restoration or woodland development projects can support both environmental restoration and community development and resilience. It can create local jobs, boost local economies and sustain livelihoods - maximising the benefits for communities.”

Emma Cooper, head of land rights and responsibilities at the Scottish Land Commission, said: “This project is a really important step in making sure natural capital investment delivers for communities as well as for nature.

“We’re pleased to be working alongside Community Land Scotland, including through our new Community Benefits from Nature Adviser, to support fair and practical approaches in communities across Scotland.

“Our land is a finite resource that needs to meet many different needs. By helping communities, landowners and developers work together from the outset, this initiative can turn potential tensions into lasting, shared benefits.”