Sites such as Local Nature Reserves or Regional Parks are important parts of our natural environment but lack the legal protection or formal monitoring of our protected site network. Some of these designations will overlap with protected sites - for example, a local nature reserve may also be a designated SSSI.

This dashboard includes six designation types:

National Nature Reserves (NNRs) — Nationally or internationally important sites managed by NatureScot or other bodies, including environmental NGOs.

Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) — designated by local authorities as important, usually in urban areas, and providing access to green space for local communities.

Country Parks — mostly managed by local authorities.

Biosphere Reserves — designated by UNESCO on a non-statutory basis. The biosphere designation is based on communities and ecosystems thriving together.

Regional Parks — large areas of countryside, designated by local authorities.

Nature30 — sites identified to contribute towards Scotland's target of protecting 30% of land and sea by 2030.