[5] In November 2019 it was announced that SNH would be re-branded as NatureScot, however its legal persona and statutory functions would remain unchanged.

In many cases it is an offence to kill or capture members of a protected animal species, or to uproot plants.

The primary roles of the board are to determine the objectives, strategies and policies of NatureScot in respect to its statutory obligations and guidance from the Scottish Government.

[21] The decision to transfer SNH's headquarters was heavily criticized by MSPs, unions, Edinburgh civic leaders and staff.

[22] Criticism focused on the cost of the move, the disruption to staff and the risk of compromising the effectiveness of SNH's work.

As part of the tendering process, SNH set seven environmental and sustainability criteria for the design including achieving an 'Excellent' rating under the BREEAM system.

The final design met all criteria and achieved the highest ever BREEAM rating for a public building in the UK.

[7] In support of its statutory duties, NatureScot undertakes many individual projects across Scotland, often in collaboration with land managers, charities and local communities.

Stoats are accomplished predators and pose a very serious threat to Orkney’s wildlife, including: the native Orkney vole, hen harrier, short-eared owl and many ground nesting birdsIn 2018, a stoat eradication project was presented by NatureScot to be applied "across Orkney Mainland, South Ronaldsay, Burray, Glimps Holm, Lamb Holm and Hunda, and the biosecurity activities delivered on the non-linked islands of the archipelago".

The project, which is run by a partnership including NatureScot, RSPB Scotland and Orkney Islands Council,[27] uses "humane DOC150 and DOC200 traps".

[29] Not all was going well as of 15 January 2021, according to The Times which stated that the project "has been hit by alleged sabotage after the destruction and theft of traps that have also killed and injured household pets and other animals" but added that the £6 million programme was supported by most islanders.

[30] Another news item stated that some of the traps had "caught and killed family pets as well as hundreds of other animals".

[31] A subsequent report confirmed that "Police Scotland is investigating a number of incidents involving damage to and the theft of stoat traps in Orkney".