Edinburgh Nature Network

The Edinburgh Nature Network is a buzzing, blossoming Edinburgh where everyone has access to nature, and nature has access to everywhere. 

What does the Edinburgh Nature Network do?  

The Edinburgh Nature Network connects and creates important corridors for wildlife and ourselves to travel along, from cleaner city air to stepping stones for butterflies. 

Connectivity is essential to our wildlife - it helps to make the nature of Edinburgh resilient so that it will be thriving for years to come. This is especially important in cities, where nature can become isolated (and we can feel isolated from nature). 

Nature networks are being created in every area of Scotland. Edinburgh’s was the first! We have 200+ actions mapped that will deliver our network. 

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Edinburgh Nature Network monitoring

Scottish Wildlife Trust have led on developing the monitoring and evaluation framework for the Edinburgh Nature Network – on their website you can find out how we’re tracking the project. 

Are you working on a project that contributes to the Edinburgh Nature Network? Fill out the Survey 123 Form and let us know!

Survey 123 is a spatial mapping tool – we have created a map to help us track delivery of Nature Network actions across Edinburgh. 

Case studies

We are very excited to have pilot projects delivering the Edinburgh Nature Network across the city. Find out more here: 

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Linking Leith’s Parks
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The Conservation Volunteers

How can you join?

From volunteering and gardening in your local area, to counting the butterflies you see; from planting native species to support local wildlife to creating a wildlife friendly allotment - your contribution matters. Join the network!  

Any questions? Get in touch by sending an email to: thrivinggreenspaces@edinburgh.gov.uk 

Check out The Conservation Volunteers Eventbrite for any environmental events coming up: Edinburgh Biodiversity Action Team | Eventbrite 

Background 

The Edinburgh Nature Network (ENN) is the first urban Nature Network in Scotland.  Nature Networks are a requirement for every local authority in Scotland. Developed by the Thriving Green Spaces project, Scottish Wildlife Trust and the University of Edinburgh, it is all about connecting, creating and improving our natural spaces across Edinburgh for the benefit of people and nature.   

ENN is a long-term strategic approach to manage, restore and enhance the urban landscape of Edinburgh. It highlights opportunities to take action across the city, using natural solutions to address the threats of biodiversity loss and climate change.    

It focuses on creating a well-connected, healthy, resilient ecosystem whilst enhancing the ability of the city to adapt to climate change, providing multiple benefits to wildlife, human society and the economy.  

The first phase of the ENN mapped seven different habitats (such as woodland and grassland) and seven different ecosystem services across the city of Edinburgh. Ecosystem services are the ways that nature provides for us – from purifying air to the health and wellbeing benefits of nature. Bringing together the mapping alongside holding workshops with organisations and stakeholders across the city to include the local expertise, 200 actions city-wide were identified that would create our Edinburgh Nature Network.