Francesca Osowska, Chief Executive of NatureScot tells us why the Nature of Scotland Awards are so important.
There are thousands of people and groups around Scotland working hard to enrich Scotland’s nature, often unrecognised for their amazing efforts. That’s why we’re proud to co-sponsor The Nature of Scotland awards. The awards are a wonderful celebration of the inspiring, rewarding and transformative people and projects protecting and restoring Scotland’s biodiversity.
Staff and visitors at Blawhorn Moss National Nature Reserve celebrate World Bog Day. Putting peatland on the road to recovery is helping Scotland tackle the impacts of climate change and biodiversity loss. ©Lorne Gill/NatureScot
There is so much amazing nature regeneration happening in Scotland, thanks to these individuals and organisations – and every bit of it is absolutely necessary: Scotland is in a state of nature emergency, and rapid, radical action is the only solution. Agriculture and land use change contribute 50% of Scotland’s net emissions and globally nature-based solutions have the potential to account for a whopping 30% of emissions.
People are at the heart of this movement to tackle climate change and reverse nature loss, and it has never been more important to see restoration of our precious habitats on a large scale through these nature-based solutions. We are looking forward to the stories and ideas this year’s awards entrants will champion at this critical time for Scotland’s nature.
A bumblebee gathering pollen and drinking nectar from a common vetch (Vicia sativa). Pollinator-friendly habitats help halt biodiversity loss and restore nature, ©Lorne Gill/NatureScot
Some of the big plans already underway in Scotland include protecting 30 percent, and highly protecting 10 percent, of Scotland’s lands and Scotland’s seas; reducing deer numbers to ensure that our woodlands are able to naturally form and capture carbon; restoring peatlands; establishing a third national park; and providing millions in project funding through the Nature Restoration Fund.
But it can’t just be the usual suspects beavering away to restore Scotland’s nature and tackle climate change – we need all parts of our society to do their bit. In that spirit, we’re sponsoring the Business for Nature Award this year.
Businesses have a critical role to play in fighting the nature and climate crises. We want to recognise those who can demonstrate a whole business approach to helping nature in Scotland. We welcome applicants from any business, big or small.
The decisions a business makes can make a positive impact for Scotland’s habitats and wildlife. This award celebrates companies which grasp the opportunity with both hands and go beyond token gestures towards saving nature, taking steps to tackle biodiversity loss and reduce their environmental footprint, going above and beyond normal business practice to benefit nature. We want to hear from businesses in all sectors and of all sizes – from the small businesses using their knowledge of local wildlife to the sector leaders making real changes for nature.
This is tied to the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy, an ambitious national plan published in draft in December to achieve a nature-positive Scotland that will halt the decline of biodiversity in Scotland by 2030 and, from there, substantially restore nature by 2045. A key component of this roadmap is acting at every level to restore vital biodiversity everywhere - from our businesses to our gardens, farms, hillsides, our rivers, lochs and seas, and through our villages, towns and cities.
So many people – whether they’re tackling biodiversity loss within the grounds of their workplace, improving community greenspaces, helping nature thrive in our seas, lochs, and rivers, researching the best ways to conserve nature, or making their farm wildlife-friendly – are doing their part to protect and restore nature in Scotland. We must do this to protect not only biodiversity, but also the wellbeing of current and future generations. The Nature of Scotland awards are a way to highlight this vital work and inspire others to take action.
Urban Roots volunteers working at Molls Mire a community woodland in the Toryglen area of Glasgow, Strathclyde and Ayrshire Area. ©Lorne Gill/NatureScot
It’s free to enter and RSPB and NatureScot are waiting for your applications and nominations by the end of May in award categories from business, public sector, research, and community groups and individuals.
Find out more and enter here
NatureScot is Scotland's nature agency. We bring 30 years of experience, expertise and passion to our nation's most vital endeavour: to tackle the twin crises of nature's devastating decline and the climate emergency.
Working with partners, communities and businesses, we are committed to stopping the dramatic decline in biodiversity, as a necessary first step towards substantial regeneration by 2045. By restoring biodiversity, nature will make an essential contribution to both hitting net zero carbon emissions targets and a thriving economy with people’s wellbeing at its heart.
For more information, visit our website or follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
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Where we can, we must try to protect our environment and ensure that we live sustainably.