Looking for a way to celebrate the conservation heroes in your life? Read on as our Communications Volunteer, Rebecca Bradley, tells us all about the Nature of Scotland Awards.
Scotland is home to a community of passionate individuals, groups, and partnerships dedicated to preserving the Scottish environment. To celebrate outstanding achievements for Scotland’s species and habitats and to inspire more people to get involved, RSPB Scotland, with headline sponsor NatureScot, host the annual Nature of Scotland Awards which recognise these nature heroes who have made outstanding contributions to Scottish nature conservation.
The Awards offer a platform for businesses championing sustainability, farmers embracing regenerative practices, youth groups igniting change, and individuals dedicating their lives to the protection of a species. The categories are designed to recognise achievements from community-led projects nurturing local greenspaces to groundbreaking initiatives driving national conservation efforts. Participation is free, and projects completed since March 2021 are eligible.
Image credit: Ben Andrew
There are ten categories to choose from and this year that includes the Nature Tourism Award for tourism-related businesses, Farming with Nature for farmers and crofters, Youth Action for groups of young people aged under 25, and the RSPB Species Champion Award for an exceptional individual who has carried out a substantial amount of work for a species in Scotland.
Participating in the Nature of Scotland Awards provides numerous benefits beyond recognition. Businesses can showcase their environmental leadership to customers, and communities can celebrate collaborative successes. You can also nominate someone else, shining a light on a person who has done something exceptional for Scotland's nature.
The entry process for the awards is straightforward and is open until the 28 May. You can visit our website to explore the categories and download a practice form to draft your answers before submitting. The form includes sections for sharing project achievements, objectives, and outcomes.
The Nature of Scotland Awards represents hope and inspiration as Scotland faces the complex challenges of biodiversity loss and climate change by recognising and amplifying the efforts of those dedicated to nature conservation. But don't take our word for it; hear from previous Nature of Scotland Award winners!
2023 Health and Wellbeing Award Winners - Whispers from the Woods & Wilds
We are delighted to win the Health & Wellbeing Award with our project ‘Whispers from the Woods & Wilds’. Through the project, Scotland's refugee and asylum-seeking communities were able to access Scotland's nature, often for the first time, not only receiving wellbeing benefits but also making an active contribution to safeguarding Scotland's nature for future generations." - Elaine Rainey, Programme Manager, Scottish Badgers
Image credit: Mike Wilkinson
2023 Nature and Climate Action Award Winners - One Million Trees Campaign
This is fantastic recognition for everyone involved - from the men and women who've worked through snowstorms to help deliver one of the biggest nature restoration projects in the Cairngorms, to the folk who've rattled collecting cans. It's also recognition that we can all take action in the face of a climate crisis." - Sandy Bremner, Chair, The River Dee Trust
Stay connected by following us on X and LinkedIn for regular updates and you can contact the Nature of Scotland Awards Team at awards@rspb.org.uk if you have any questions about taking part.