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Scotland

Uplands, view east from summit of Cairngorm across strath Nethy to Bynack Moor

The most important wildlife sites in Scotland are protected through a series of national and international designations.

Nationally important places for wildlife are notified by Scottish Natural Heritage, the governments statutory body for nature conservation in Scotland, as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI's) under Section 28 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). Currently, there are some 1,448 SSSIs in Scotland, covering nearly 12% of the country.

The RSPB works to protect Scotland's special wildlife places from damage, and to improve their management. The improvements to SSSI protection in England and Wales through the Countryside and Rights of Way Act were made, in part, as a result of the support given by members to the RSPBs 'Land for Life' campaign. 

RSPB Scotland is now campaigning for improvements to be made to the protection given to Scotlands special places for wildlife through its 'Time to Act' campaign.

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