JOHN MUIR TRUST October 2008 No 45 Biodiversity: helping nature heal itself Saving energy: saving wild land Scotland’s missing lynx ADVERT 2 John Muir Trust Journal 45, October 2008 JOHN MUIR TRUST October 2008 No 45 Contents Nigel’s notes Foreword from the Chief Executive of the John Muir Trust, 3 The return of the natives: Nigel Hawkins Members air their views devotees – all those people who on re-introductions care passionately about wild land and believe in what the Trust is 5 Stained glass trying to do. commemorates John Muir During those 25 years there has been a constant process Bringing back trees to of change as people become 6 involved at different stages of our the Scottish Borders development and then move on, having made their mark in all 8 Biodiversity: sorts of different ways. Helping nature heal itself The John Muir Trust has We are going through another constantly seen change as period of change at the John Muir 11 Scotland’s missing lynx it develops and grows as Trust as two of us who have been the country’s leading wild very involved in the Trust and in land organisation. taking it forward, step down. In 12 Leave No Trace: the process, opportunities are created for new people to become Cleaning up the wilds Change is brought about by involved and to bring in their own what is happening in society, energy, freshness, experience, Inspiration Point the economy and in the political 13 skills and passion for our cause. world, with the Trust responding We can be very confident – based to all of these. But the biggest 14 A conservationist in Tanzania on past experience – that this is changes in the Trust are those exactly what will happen and the which the Trust brings about Trust will continue to develop and 15 Sustainable kayaking itself as it works to realise its grow in the future. ambition and aspiration for wild Dick Balharry is an exceptional places to be valued, protected 16 Saving energy: saving wild land person who has made an and enhanced. This is fuelled – An energy policy for the Trust outstanding contribution to the through the enthusiasm of our Trust during the past seven years, Members, volunteers, staff and first as a Trustee and then as 19 25 Years of the John Muir Trust other supporters. chairman. Dick is a kenspeckle The Trust is a wild land figure in the Scottish countryside Classic Text: Fraser Darling’s organisation. Some people might 22 through his passion for wild think that seeking the beauty and Reith Lectures places, his deep understanding solitude of wild places is about of nature and his ability to getting away from people – and communicate and inspire others. 23 Book reviews there are times when, for many of Dick will complete his second us, there is truth in that. three-year term as chairman in 24 Winning words But building a wild land August next year. In preparation organisation which is able to – the Wild Writing competition for that, and bearing in mind the take positive action to safeguard other changes taking place in the and enhance wild land is all Trust, the Trustees have elected about engaging people with the John Hutchison as chairman- cause of the wild land they love. designate, enabling him to FRONT COVER Everything that the Trust has prepare and work in tandem Black grouse, one of the species likely to benefit from the Trust’s achieved in its first 25 years is a with Dick during this period of biodiversity policies - page 8. consequence of the dedication transition. and determination of the Trust’s Picture: Peter Cairns, Northshots huge band of supporters and contd over John Muir Trust Journal 45, October 2008 1 contd from page 1 people are willing to give of their More than 70,000 people from 52 weeks of the year out there in time, energy, resources – and of all walks of life have taken part those fantastic wild places – much Based in Lochaber, John joined themselves - to help forward this in our John Muir Award and for though that is an attractive the Board last year. He has a lot cause which they believe in so many of them it has been a life- thought. of experience in the community passionately. changing experience. We have I have been asked to continue land movement and many links in Passion can, of course, lead also encouraged a national debate my links with the Trust and the West Highlands and Islands. to intense debate and huge on issues which impact on wild deploy my knowledge and In John the Trust has attracted emotional investment. But this places and their importance to enthusiasm in a new part-time an excellent person as its future has been part of the essential present and future generations. role as Director of the John Muir chairman and we can feel very dynamic which has made the We have tried to follow in the Trust Anniversary Foundation, confident in the leadership role Trust such an adventurous and footsteps of the great Scotsman the charity set up by the Trust to he will play in taking the Trust vibrant organisation. John Muir, the father of national help raise funds for our work. In forward in the years ahead. I am very grateful to everyone parks, who called on us to “do this new role, I shall be developing The other major change who has shared a passion for wild something for wildness and make present and new contacts and involves myself. This will be the land and has helped to build the the mountains glad”. relationships aimed at building last ‘Nigel’s Notes’ I write as Chief John Muir Trust into the highly Although much has been up funds from new sources for the Executive as I am standing down respected organisation that it is achieved – and it is humbling Foundation to channel towards from this post on 28 February, today. to look back and see just how the work of the Trust. 2009. Trustees have started the The Trust has developed from far we have come from our first I am looking forward to this process of seeking a successor and its early days where guardianship stumbling efforts - there is still so new challenge and wish to help I am very confident they will find of key wild areas was our priority. much to do. We are a long way create a very firm foundation an excellent person to help take That is still very important but we from achieving our vision for wild for the Trust’s future work. I the organisation forward in the now take a far wider view of how places to be valued by all members have had fantastic support from future. people engage with wild places of society. But at least we have everyone involved in the Trust Having been involved in and in doing so increase their started on that journey. over the years – and I thank you the Trust right from the start, understanding and appreciation I wish my successor, the staff, all for that. I very much look I have seen huge changes over of the natural world. At the same Trustees, Members and everyone forward to continuing to work the years as we have developed time, we wish to extend and else who supports the Trust with friends, colleagues and and grown. But the one thing enhance wild places and increase every success in taking our cause acquaintances in the future. that has not changed is the biodiversity – the range of forward. commitment of people to our animals, birds, insects, plants and Having said that, I am not cause. I am so impressed by how fungi which can be found there. about to spend seven days a week, ADVERT 2 John Muir Trust Journal 45, October 2008 THE RETURN OF THE NATIVE? Members display conflicting views on re-introduced species In the July 2008 edition of the John Muir Trust’s Members’ News our Chief Scientific Officer, Mike Daniels, outlined Brown bear and cub, photographed News in Finland. the Trust’s draft policy on the re-introduction of once-native species. (The key points appear in the panel.) Members were invited to contribute their views and we publish on this page extracts from some of the letters and e-mails received. As the Trustees prepare to take a decision on the policy, it is clear that our Members hold a wide, and conflicting, range of opinions on the subject. On page 11, David Hetherington expresses a personal view on the potential for re-introducing P the lynx. ETER Here are extracts from Members’ responses: CA IRNS “I can see from some of the same time distancing yourselves /NORTHSHOTS jargon-speak being adopted that from including the very species the John Muir Trust is in danger that helped to evolve those of not being a ‘pioneer’ but of ecosystems.” becoming another green-wash, subscription conscious, single- “Within a few years wild boar issue group. That would be a will become a serious nuisance “I am very much opposed to the reintroduction of wolf shame since I think the history and perhaps even a danger and bear to Scotland. In much less populous times, our behind the Trust demands to the public. The proposed ancestors did a good job in removing these species . ambitious, far-reaching and introduction of beaver will almost One of the joys of walking in Britain is the absence of certainly ruin the salmon fishing progressive policies.