Annandale Estates has been given Wildlife Estates Scotland (WES) reaccreditation at the GWCT Scottish Game Fair, with HRH The Princess Royal and Dr Mike Cantlay OBE, chair of NatureScot, presenting the accolades.
The estate is one of 15 in Scotland to now hold the title, and was one of 12 to be reaccredited, a process that takes place every five years.
Chairman of Wildlife Estates Scotland, Dee Ward, said: “These farms and estates are undertaking exceptionally important work that benefits biodiversity and the environment and it is only right that their efforts are publicly recognised through Wildlife Estates Scotland.
“WES accreditation is a rigorous process that asks land managers to meet the highest standards across wildlife and conservation management and it is pleasing that these 15 estates and farms have met this benchmark.
At the awards it was noted that Annandale Estates has worked tirelessly since its last accreditation to improve habitat, with pond creation and conservation grazing two of its foremost achievements.
Currently the estate is moving forward with sustainable hedgerow management, the removal of non-native tree species in favour of native reforestation, as well as the establishment of wildflower meadows.
And Dr Mike Cantlay OBE, chair of NatureScot, said: “By attaining WES accreditation, these estates have reached a gold standard in their long-term commitment to helping Scotland’s nature thrive.
“Initiatives like WES, which gather the knowledge and expertise of people who work Scotland’s countryside, are a crucially important way to increase the resilience of Scotland’s land, as we work together to tackle the twin biodiversity and climate change crises.”
