Tag: SAC Consulting

Transatlantic graduates tackle Scotland’s net zero goals

Three American graduates have collectively put more than 10,000 miles between themselves and their hometowns to work at Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC).

Kaia Waxenberg, Brady Stevens and Alexa Green have gone from studying for an MSc in Environmental Protection and Management at SRUC to working within the organisation.

Despite growing up in New York City with no connections to farming, Kaia is assisting with agricultural greenhouse gas emissions research at SAC Consulting, focusing on the scientific development of the Agrecalc carbon footprinting tool.

Brady, from Buffalo in New York State, is also working at SAC Consulting as a Rural Business and Economics Consultant and Alex, from Miami, is a Research Assistant at the Rural Policy Centre.

Kaia said: “I’m from New York City, so you can probably imagine my early encounters with farming were pretty limited. I originally became interested in issues of conservation and sustainability as a teenager, working in volunteer and internship roles throughout Manhattan.

“I then moved to the UK to pursue an undergraduate degree in conservation but ended up specialising in plant sciences after becoming increasingly interested in food sustainability.

“My new role is a great opportunity to apply my modelling and data analysis skills to practical farm management and consulting. I’m so excited to help deliver evidence-based mitigation solutions to farmers across the UK.”

Living across the road from his uncle’s 2000-cow dairy farm, Brady grew up with a knowledge of the agricultural industry. He fell in love with Scotland after cycling across the Highlands during his teaching fellowship in London and applied to do a Masters degree at SRUC.

“I was drawn to the practicality of the degrees offered and the opportunity to get out in the field and be close to agriculture,” he said. “I was also inspired by the research/education/consulting model – the win-win-wins made sense to me.

“My first three months at SAC Consulting have been intense and exciting. Given the pace and scale of changes required to meet Scotland’s climate and environment goals, there is tons of work to be done, and I feel I have been able to jump into the middle of it and make meaningful contributions already.

“The time is flying as the work is varied and engaging. I am loving it!”

Growing up in Miami, Alexa developed an appreciation for the environment and particularly marine and peatland areas such as mangroves and wetlands.

After studying Psychology and Sustainability Studies, she worked for a non-profit organisation focusing on improving recycling systems through behaviour change.

As a research assistant with the Rural Policy Centre, Alexa works on a variety of research and knowledge exchange opportunities

“I chose the Masters programme at SRUC because I wanted to obtain a more concrete understanding of climate science and policy and improve my research and analysis skills,” she said.

“I am excited to continue to develop my skills and work with the amazing team at SRUC to inform wider policy and help Scotland reach net zero by 2045.”

Celebrating 10 years of coming together to support the corncrake

This year, Skye crofters, farmers, the RSPB and SAC Consulting, part of Scotland’s Rural College, will celebrate 10 years of a collaborative partnership to help secure a future for the island’s corncrake population, which has been on the red endangered list since 1990 with a recorded population of 872 in 2019.

The corncrake is a small, migratory bird that spends its winters in Central and Western Africa and its summers in Northern Europe, but since 1950 the rate of decline in Scotland has accelerated, coinciding with a period when the majority of hay fields were changed to silage production.

By formalising the partnership in 2009 between SAC Consulting, RSPB, NFU Scotland, the Scottish Crofting Federation, and local farmers and crofters, it  provided greater support for land managers to access agri-environment schemes and to improve the island’s corncrake population on a landscape scale.  

Janette Sutherland, Agricultural Consultant with SAC Consulting who facilitates the partnership, said: “The support to crofters and farmers through agri-environment schemes over the past 25 years has been key to the survival of the UK corncrake population and it is critical that we maintain and build on this hard work. With an uncertain future ahead, it is vital that these different groups continue to integrate.

“A real highlight of the partnership so far has been the positive conversations between the conservationists and all of the island’s active crofters and farmers, and how they can work together. To protect corncrakes, we need crofters and farmers to implement the measures on the ground, and part of SAC Consulting’s role is to highlight what practical methods and management techniques they can employ to benefit the species.”

As corncrakes make their way south to Africa for the winter, there are still concerns, despite the efforts from all parties, about the declining population.

“The corncrake population in Skye is instrumental in expanding its geographical range to mainland areas such as Lochalsh and Glenelg,” said Janette.

“Unfortunately, the number of corncrakes is dropping across the board and although researchers are exploring some theories, it is unclear what is driving the losses. With such a small population, working in partnership is all vitally important to their future survival.”

Currently there are 140-hectares under management on the Isle of Skye as part of the Scottish Government’s Agri Environment Climate Scheme (AECS) which provided funding to crofters and farmers to manage their silage and grazed fields differently to support corncrakes.

“There are practical methods that can be used on ‘high nature value’ landscapes to benefit the species, such as delayed mowing, corncrake friendly mowing and leaving uncut areas of grassland on field margins to provide cover for birds; curtailing grazing to preserve areas of tall vegetation in spring and summer, allowing birds to nest and raise broods; and, establishing clumps of tall plants such as iris, nettles, meadowsweet, cow parsley or hogweed,” commented Janette.

Shelagh Parlane, RSPB corncrake officer, said: “The corncrake is notoriously shy and likes tall vegetation. That’s why we encourage crofters and farmers to create areas of early growing vegetation, so the birds have somewhere to hide when they come back to the islands in early spring.

“The environment, nature, and local agricultural businesses are interdependent; successful and thriving agricultural systems can provide and support a rich diversity of species which is to the benefit of all of us. Corncrakes rely on crofting and farming and, with a small number of adjustments that can be compensated for through agri-environment schemes, it is possible for both to thrive.

“We look forward to the partnership playing a role in the Corncrake Calling Project, which has been funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, over the next few years.”    

SAC Consulting set to support Covid-hit charity in virtual Tour D’Office challenge

Throughout October, staff from SAC Consulting, part of Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), will walk, cycle, and run nearly 2000 miles as part of a virtual Tour D’Office challenge to raise money for RSABI.

David Ross, Regional Development Manager with SAC Consulting who initiated the event, said the aim of the Tour D’Office is to boost morale amongst the 130-strong consulting staff, build camaraderie and, most importantly, raise money for RSABI.

“For the past couple of years, we’ve entered teams into RSABI’s Great Glen Challenge, and it’s always been a highlight for staff”, David explained.

“This year, due to the current circumstances and cancellation of the Great Glen event, we decided to try and do something different. The concept of virtually racing around all 24 SAC Consulting offices has come up before and we decided this year is the perfect opportunity to make it happen.

“Previous fundraising challenges have been a fantastic opportunity for staff across the organisation to get to know each other. This year, teams are based on regional locations with specialists and office staff coming together to raise money for a great cause that is crucial to our industry, particularly in times of crisis.”

Head of SAC Consulting, Andrew Lacey, said: “In the current situation, charities have had to cancel their premier fundraising events which will have a major impact on their future ability to support vulnerable communities.

“RSABI provides a vital service to rural people throughout Scotland and we felt it was important to be able to continue our fundraising efforts for them despite the restrictions.

“The Tour D’Office challenge is bringing together staff, no matter where they live, with a goal to support this important charity, and ultimately each other, during this challenging time.”

Chief Executive of RSABI, Nina Clancy, said: “So many charities have been adversely impacted by lockdown and the subsequent restrictions. It’s fantastic to see SAC Consulting think outside the box regarding fundraising and I am grateful the team have decided to donate the funds to RSABI – it will really make a difference to people in the agricultural sector who are struggling.”

The full route around each of the SAC Consulting offices is 1,953.6 miles and teams are challenged to walk, cycle, or run the equivalent during October. The virtual circuit will visit all the SAC Consulting offices across Scotland and the North of England kicking off in Edinburgh before moving up the east coast, through the north east and Highlands and Islands offices, before coming down the west coast to Kendal and then back up the east coast to finish in Edinburgh.

“No doubt there will be a healthy dose of competition between the teams and some great banter too. It’s a way to inject a bit of fun into life when things aren’t very easy for lots of people”, said David.

“We will be awarding prizes for the region with the most money raised, region that has completed the most miles, individual that has completed the most miles in each category, most impressive fancy dress and the most likes on a social media post.”

Predicting what region will be first across the finish line, David Ross who heads up the North East Regional Team, said: “Even though the south east and south west have some fairly strong runners and cyclists in their team, my money is on north east taking the title of inaugural winner of the Tour D’Office!”

Those wishing to support the fundraising efforts of a specific region, or follow their progress, can do so by clicking here.