Wildlife Estates Scotland (WES) recognises and promotes exemplary sustainable land management that delivers demonstrable and lasting benefits for Scotland’s natural heritage, rural economy and communities through an objective accreditation system. WES is a national version of the European Wildlife Estates label.
The key aims of the initiative are to:
- Promote best practice in wildlife and habitat management
- Build information on species and their habitats, wildlife management, conservation projects and integration with other land uses to monitor continuous improvement
- Encourage conservation projects and integration with other land uses to monitor continuous improvement
- Use information to engage public and private stakeholders in encouraging best practice management for further maintenance of Scotland’s biodiversity
Accreditation involves the independent assessment of a landholding and its management against the following criteria:
- Commitment to best practice
- Adoption of wildlife and habitat management plans that underpin best practice
- Maintaining species and habitats records
- Conservation and collaborative work
- Integration with other land management activities (such as farming, forestry and tourism)
- Social, economic and cultural aspects (such as employment, community engagement and communications)
Accreditation is based on the combined score achieved for each of these sections, a qualitative assessment of management and site visits, all of which are conducted by an objective, external assessor. Learn more about the accreditation process and download the form required to get started.
Find out more about WES through the following links: 
Aims, Objectives and Incentives
Why Join?
Independent Assurance - WES level 2 applications are independently assessed by Food Integrity Assurance (FIA) to ensure compliance with relevant codes and best practice guidance.
Trusted Operator status - WES level 2 accreditation is recognized as a means of monitoring compliance with both the Code of Practice for Grouse Moor Management and the Muirburn Code.
Network, collaborate and share knowledge- Regular events provide members with the opportunity to learn about and discuss a wide range of relevant topics. Members also collaborate at a landscape scale to achieve shared objectives.
Evidence and data led decision making- Encourages a long-term approach to managing land for conservation and biodiversity, with baselining, data collation and ongoing monitoring vital to measuring impact of actions.
Flexible financing options- WES members can qualify for the Oxbury Transition Facility. Level 2 accredited WES members can qualify for the Oxbury Transition Facility with no annual fee. Find out more here.
Designating WES as an OECM
This paper is the second in the ‘Growing Confidence in Wildlife Estates Scotland’ series. This paper aims to highlight the opportunity for Scottish Government and its agencies to endorse Wildlife Estates Scotland (WES) accredited land as ‘Other Effective (Area-based) Conservation Measure’ (OECMs).
Read the full paper here.
Get in touch
If you want to get in touch to discuss any aspect of Wildlife Estates Scotland or to talk about accreditation, please contact Neil Gunn at: neil.gunn@scottishlandandestates.co.uk
Follow WES on social media!
- @WildlifeEstatesScotland 
- @WildlifeEstates 
- @wildlifeestates_scotland 
- Wildlife Estates Scotland
WES is supported by:
