Introduction

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) was established under the 1991 Natural Heritage (Scotland) Act. Its mission is to work with Scotland's people to care for our natural heritage.

Its aims are:

• to conserve and enhance the natural heritage of Scotland;
• to foster understanding and facilitate enjoyment of the natural heritage of Scotland; and

• to ensure that all work in relation to the natural heritage of Scotland, undertaken by SNH or any other person, is sustainable.

From 1 April 1997, SNH will be made up of 11 Areas; National Strategy; Advisory Services, Corporate Services, Chief Scientist's Unit, and Secretariat. The executive Management Team comprises the Chief Executive, Director of Corporate Services, and 3 Directors of Operations and Strategy.

SNH has a main Board appointed by the Secretary of State for Scotland which determines the objectives, strategies, policies and the distribution of resources of SNH. Area Boards provide advice and support to Area staff and represent SNH locally. There is also an Audit Committee and a Scientific Advisory Committee.

Achievements in 1996/97

SNH achievements are summarised in the table below. Further information is available in its annual publication 'Progress and Plans' (see footnote, first page below).

Plans for 1997/98

To maintain biodiversity 10 new species and 3 habitat action plans will be implemented. The results of National Countryside Monitoring Scheme will be published. Special Natural Heritage Sites: Notify 25­30 SSSIs in support of Natura 2000. Submit 20 SPA consultation reports. Support 611 management agreements covering 151,000ha. During the year, SNH will support 11 footpath repair projects, implement 13 survey and monitoring projects and support 8 visitor management projects Grants will be made to a further 60 school ground projects. Continuing its work with land managers, SNH will initiate 10 new 'Paths for All' projects, obtain leverage of EC funding for 22 projects and provide grant support to FWAG for 18 advisers. Management strategies will be put in place for three more firths. Implement natural heritage zonation programme for targeting programmes and resources.

Implementation of the Organisational Development Programme and the Efficiency Plan will continue as will work on achieving Investor in People status during 1998/99.

Key Performance Targets
SNH performance targets are agreed with the Scottish Office. Those in use before 1996­97 have been replaced by those shown below.
Information on performance against targets in previous years is published in 'Progress and Plans'. SNH targets are monitored on a quarterly basis.
Task	Target	Mid-year progress
Species Action Plans	20 Plans in implementation phase Target of 20 spp exceeded	Total of 23 plans implemented
Species Action Plans	Draft 30 Plans	30 Plans now drafted
Species Action Plans	Publish 12 Fact Sheets	Target reduced to 6 Fact Sheets in line with implementation All sheets will be published by year end.
Notify previously undesignated sites as new SSSIs in preparation for Natura 2000	30 Sites	28 SSSIs notified or re-notified. On target for 30 sites notified by year end
Undertake further consultations on marine pSAC sites	According to agreed Natura 2000 programme	SNH worked with the Scottish Office to enable 14 A list marine pSACs to be forwarded to Europe as part of tranche 3 on 15 October. Continuing dialogue with local interests on many sites involving Regional and RASD staff
Submit scientific cases for SPA sites to The Scottish Office	25 SPAs	22 Departmental briefs, 11 draft & 11 final. On target for 25 submitted by year end
Undertake local consultations on pSPA sites	Submit 20 to Government for designation.	10 pSPAs and 5 overlapping Ramsar sites submitted to SO for designation. On target for 20 submissions by year end
Complete baseline surveys for all existing Natura sites	According to agreed Natura 2000 programme	Total of 38 Natura 2000 research and survey projects now completed or nearing completion. On target for year end.
Develop 7 monitoring frameworks for key aspects of Cairngorms	7 monitoring frameworks agreed	3 projects complete. 4 other projects on target to complete in Q4
Complete up to 6 pathwork projects in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs area	6 pathworks 90% complete	4 pathworks complete and 3 underway. On target for 6 pathworks 90% complete by year end.
Produce curriculum support materials	Complete 5 themed products	1 product complete and 4 others underway. On target for 5 complete by year end.
Countryside in and around Towns	Develop 15 proactive projects	15 projects underway
Implement Red Deer Action Plan	6 Red Deer Management Plans and a demonstration study	Progress has been made with 7 DMG Management Plans. DCS has agreed to trial the 7 plans before taking forward further plans. Demonstration studies continue on 13 sites.
Produce management strategies for the Firths	Publish strategy for Cromarty Firth	Cromarty Firth strategy in draft. On target for publication in Q4
Distribute community chests	50 Sea chests	List of chest managers compiled and distribution ongoing. On target for completion in Q4.
Agree forward work plans for SNH funded ranger services	Plans agreed for all services by quarter 1	Total of 68 plans agreed from a total of 92 services. Expect 69 plans to be agreed by year end.
Complete priority tasks in policy development programme	45 tasks	Of the 28 priority 1/2/3 items which were scheduled for Q1/Q2/Q3: 6 are complete and 22 are ongoing. On target for 45 tasks completed by year end
Respond to national consultations	Respond to 50 anticipated consultations within given timescales	Total of 75 consultations responded to within timescales.
Customer contacts to meet Natural Standards	Meet standards for 90% of contacts	Standards met for 96% of contacts in Q3