The Common Ground Forum is a network of individuals and organisations from across Scotland’s upland deer management sector who are working together, supported by civic mediators, in a more collaborative approach to deer management, based on mutual respect and consensus building, towards a vision of a greener, healthier and economically vibrant future.
The Forum currently comprises more than 100 people, including private landowners and managers, deer stalkers, the Scottish Government and statutory agencies, environmental NGOs, the agricultural sector, foresters and community trusts.
Members of the Forum are committed to work in the spirit of the Our Common Ground Accord, a set of principles about how they will communicate with each other, in order to set a standard for respectful behaviour throughout the sector.
The purpose of the Common Ground Forum is to continue to build trust and relationships between people whose work is connected with deer management. By facilitating constructive dialogue, improved relationships between stakeholders helps them work better together, enabling sustainable and integrated deer management to be implemented effectively on the ground for the benefit of people, nature and the climate. This is particularly important in the current time of change, as the Scottish Government looks to develop effective changes in policy and legislation.
Julie Stoneman, Chair of the Common Ground Forum said: “I’m delighted that we have been shortlisted for the Nature of Scotland Innovation Award. It recognises the efforts of many forward-thinking people, working together tirelessly, to find a way to help break the deadlock that had built up within Scotland’s deer management community. Only by working together with everyone involved can we realise our vision of a greener, healthier and economically vibrant future”.
The Common Ground Forum was announced as a finalist at the Nature of Scotland Awards Shortlist Reception held at the Scottish Parliament, hosted by Graham Simpson MSP and sponsored by Suntory Global Spirits.
The winners of all 10 categories will be revealed at a celebratory event held at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) on the 28 November, where the 53 finalists will gather. RSPB Scotland has been running the awards for over a decade, and is grateful for the support of our many supporters and sponsors including our 2024 headline sponsor NatureScot. This year’s ceremony will be hosted by BBC Landward presenters and nature enthusiasts Dougie Vipond and Arlene Stuart.
The Nature of Scotland Awards recognise individuals and organisations making a difference across local communities, schools, and businesses to support Scotland’s wildlife and natural environment.
Anne McCall, Director of RSPB Scotland said: “The Nature of Scotland Awards shine a light on people and projects going that extra mile to make a difference for nature in their local communities. Every year it is a privilege to hear the inspiring stories of people coming together to protect species and improve spaces for nature – we can’t tackle the nature and climate crisis alone. A huge thank you to all of our applicants for sharing their tremendous work with us. The awards ceremony is such a special evening, and I am looking forward to seeing everyone in November.”
Professor Colin Galbraith, Chair of Awards headline sponsor NatureScot, said: “Right across Scotland we see people coming together and taking action to protect and restore nature. The efforts of all nominees are reason for great pride. The shortlisted projects for this year’s Awards celebrate perfectly what can be achieved through inspiring collaborations that work with nature, build our resilience, and help us tackle the climate-nature crisis.”