Heather Anderson MSP is Community Green Space Nature Champion

We're excited to be working with Heather Anderson MSP in her new role as Nature Champion for Community Green Space.

Scottish Environment LINK's initiative aims to protect our community green spaces, and we'll now be working with Ms Anderson to do that through our various programmes such as the Climate and Nature Friendly Communities Network, our Green Flag Awards for Parks and more. 

Green spaces across Scotland give communities and individuals the opportunity to enjoy the environment, nature and outdoors, often without having to travel far from home.

However, these spaces are at risk and are also difficult for some people to access. By working with Ms Anderson we hope to make it easier for all to enjoy our wonderful green spaces across the country.

We're also looking forward to improving our local environmental quality and promoting the National Litter and Flytipping Strategy, with 75% of people agreeing litter makes public spaces unsafe for children and animals.

Scotland has incredible spaces that can be so beneficial for the local community and biodiversity. These can play a crucial role in mitigating the climate and nature emergencies, which is why we welcome the support of the Nature Champions initiative. 

Barry Fisher, our Chief Executive, said: "I'm delighted to have Heather Anderson MSP be our new Nature Champion for Community Green Space.

"Having recently announced our 2026 Green Flag Award winners, we know just how many amazing green spaces there are across the country and, equally, how much our communities cherish them.

"Restoring nature and and increasing biodiversity is a huge part of our mission to keep Scotland beautiful - we're really looking forward to working with Ms Anderson to do just that."

Heather Anderson, Member of the Scottish Parliament for Dundee City West and Parliamentary Nature Champion for Community Green Space, said: “As one of the MSPs for the city of Dundee, I know about the importance of community green spaces to people across our city. With over forty percent of the city dedicated to greenspace, Dundee is one of the greenest cities in Scotland. Whether it be one of our amazing parks, such as Balgay Park or Camperdown Park, our nature areas such as the Riverside Nature Park, or just a local playpark or football pitch, these spaces are well-loved and well-used by the people of Dundee.

“We are incredibly fortunate both in Dundee and in communities across Scotland to have access to so many excellent green spaces, and it is important we ensure these spaces are looked after and continue to be available for local people.

“I look forward to working with the teams at both Keep Scotland Beautiful and Scottish Environment Link to champion in Parliament our community green spaces.”

Andrew Marks, Nature Champions Coordinator at Scottish Environment LINK, said: “We are delighted that Heather Anderson MSP has become the Nature Champion for Community Green Space.

"The Nature Champions initiative gives MSPs from all parties the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of Scotland’s natural environment, and we hope that Ms Anderson enjoys working with Keep Scotland Beautiful to learn more about the value of Scotland’s community green spaces and to champion these important places for people and nature in Holyrood.”