Protecting wild land
The John Muir Trust is dedicated to protecting wild land - large areas of high scenic and wildlife value, with minimal evidence of modern human development
We raise awareness of the unique and irreplacable benefits of wild land - clean air, water, flood prevention, protection of rare peatlands, retention of carbon in the ground and health and well-being.
We work hard to persuade governments and policy makers of the benefits of wild land, the value in protecting and restoring it, and that there is strong public support for better protection for wild land. Current policy work areas include work to ensure the principles of the Wild Land Areas map are upheld, energy, land reform in Scotland, campaigning for planning democracy and working to increase understanding of rewilding and the need for stronger deer control.
We stand up for wild land when it comes under threat - challenging inappropriate developments that will damage wild land. We have taken legal action against the Scottish Government's decision to consent the giant Stronelairg wind farm in the Monadhliath Mountains. We have been campaigning to save Wild Land Area 34 in the far north of Scotland. We were proud to win the public vote as TGO Outdoor Campaigner of the Year in 2015. By making a donation you can help us continue to campaign for wild land.
Read about the work we are doing to protect wild land
We are dedicated to influencing national and local policy around wild land, throughout the UK. You can read and search for articles about the work we are doing in our Resources section. You can also use the search function (green magnifying glass in the top right of your screen) and enter key words for topics of interest.
Our work makes a difference
In 2014 our campaigning helped get a map of official Wild Land Areas recognised by the Scottish Government and included in planning policy. This recognition of Scotland’s wild land as a nationally important asset that needs to be safeguarded marked a historic breakthrough in our work.
TGO Outdoor Campaigner of the Year
We are proud to have won Outdoor Campaigner of the Year in the Great Outdoors Awards in 2014 and 2015. Our latest win came hard on the heels of a succession of milestone victories in our long term campaign to protect wild land in Scotland.
The wedges of development are being driven hard, and none of the obstacles or defences of nature can long withstand the onset ...
John Muir