25 September, 2026
Crofters invited to shape the future of nature-friendly crofting in Shetland
Shetland crofters, farmers and others interested in land management are invited to join Species on the Edge, Nature Friendly Farming Network, Pasture for Life, the Scottish Crofting Federation, and local RSPB Scotland staff to shape a resilient, nature-positive future at a two-day event this October.
High input costs, extreme weather, and shifting agricultural policy mean that business as usual can be a struggle in modern crofting. Change requires testing new ideas, leveraging natural processes, and finding practical ways to build real business resilience while restoring local ecosystems.
In the past four years, the Species on the Edge programme has brought opportunities for crofters in Shetland to create and improve habitats for threatened species that depend on supportive land management and to trial new practices. Examples include soil-improving wildlife crops, virtual fencing for more effective grazing of cattle in challenging sites, and the creation of wildflower meadows. As the Species on the Edge programme comes to an end, this two-day event will look at learnings from the project and help develop new connections and partnerships between the crofting and conservation communities in Shetland.
Hosted by Species on the Edge, the two-day event will feature a croft walk in Bressay on Monday 12th October and a workshop in Lerwick on Tuesday 13th October. The walk will be a chance to look at the practicalities and challenges of croft management and for crofters to share experiences and ideas. The workshop will offer a platform to come together to explore what modern crofting means and to build momentum for nature-friendly crofting in Shetland.
Those interested in taking part in the conversation are encouraged to book a place on the croft walk and/or the workshop. There will also be a public drop-in at Islesburgh Community Centre in Lerwick between 6.30pm and 8pm on Tuesday 13th October for anyone who wants to meet representatives from Species on the Edge, Nature Friendly Farming Network, Pasture for Life, the Scottish Crofting Federation and RSPB Scotland, and to hear about ongoing projects. For more information and to book, visit: www.speciesontheedge.co.uk/events/crofting-with-nature-shetland-12-13-october/
Contact information
- Name
- Eilidh Ross
- eilidh.ross@nature.scot
Notes to editors
Species on the Edge is a multi-partner species conservation programme working to supporting vulnerable and threatened species found along Scotland’s coast and islands. Funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the partnership consists of Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, Bat Conservation Trust, Buglife, Bumblebee Conservation Trust, Butterfly Conservation, NatureScot, Plantlife, and RSPB Scotland.
NatureScot is Scotland's nature agency. Responding to the twin crises of biodiversity loss and climate change, we work to protect and restore nature by inspiring everyone to value our natural world. Our goal is a nature-rich, net-zero future for Scotland. For more information, visit our website at www.nature.scot
'S e buidheann nàdair na h-Alba a th’ ann an NàdarAlba. Bidh sinn a’ gleidheadh agus a’ slànachadh nàdar le bhith a’ brosnachadh a h-uile duine gu spèis a chur air an t-saoghal nàdarra againn, agus sinn a’ freagairt air an dà chùis-èiginn de chall bith-iomadachd ’s atharrachadh na gnàth-shìde. ’S e ar n-amas nàdar beairteach ’s cothromachadh carboin do dh’Alba. Airson an tuilleadh fiosrachaidh, thoiribh sùil air an làraich-lìn againn aig www.nature.scot
