Nature of Scotland Awards 2018 winners

Yesterday evening at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in Edinburgh, 11 people and projects received beautiful trophies designed by Bryony Knox and sponsored by Turcan Connell as winners of the 2018 Nature of Scotland Awards.

Kate Humble said, ‘I’m thrilled to have hosted the Nature of Scotland Awards 2018 where I had the opportunity to meet and thank the conservation heroes doing so much to protect Scotland’s precious natural heritage. The dedication and hard work of individuals is crucial in the battle to protect and preserve Scotland’s natural environment for generations to come and I’m pleased to celebrate the people and projects offering nature a home.‘.

Anne McCall, Director of RSPB Scotland, said, ‘Congratulations to all of this year’s award winners. It is inspiring to see the range of people dedicated to protecting wildlife and preserving Scotland’s unique natural environment. Everyone should be incredibly proud of the work they have done and the achievements they have made. We hope the celebration of this work will encourage an even greater number to take action to protect wildlife and give nature a home in Scotland.‘.

Mike Cantlay, Scottish Natural Heritage Chairman, said,  ‘Scottish Natural Heritage is proud to co-sponsor the Nature of Scotland Awards and to celebrate the inspiring people and projects working hard across Scotland to safeguard our wonderful natural environment. These fantastic conservation champions play a vital role in helping more people enjoy and benefit from nature and ensuring that our natural heritage is protected and improved in the future, so many congratulations to all.‘.

The winners, categories and those short-listed were:

Business Award:

• WINNER: Barratts provides new homes for people and wildlife in Aberdeen
• Arran Trust
• Scottish Water – leaving a sustainable and thriving natural legacy
• Wild Planet Explorers – inspiring future biologists and conservationists!

Community Initiative Award:

• WINNER: Ninewells Community Garden: therapeutic gardening for all
• CCI – Clydesdale Community Initiatives
• Friends of Happy Valley
• Greening our Street – promoting biodiversity in the urban landscape!
• Inverclydebuzz: Pollinator Corridor Project
• Tiree Great Yellow Bumblebee Project
• Water of Leith – 30 years

Food & Farming Award:

• WINNER: Common Farm
• 50 years of farming and conservation at Mersehead
• Knock Farm and Eco- Agri-Tech, Huntly – inspiring others on sustainable farming
• Nature Friendly Farming Network
• The Argaty Red Kite Project

Innovation Award:

• WINNER: CuanTec
• Allan Water Improvement Project
• CLIMAVORE: On Tidal Zones
• The Peatland Code – an innovative funding mechanism for peatland restoration
• The SBIF Review: Re-imagining the Biological Recording Infrastructure in Scotland

Nature Tourism Award:

• WINNER: The Argaty Red Kite Project
• Knapdale, Scotland’s Natural Treasure Chest
• Nature Scotland – Ethically sustainable wildlife experiences, contributing towards conservation and education
• Unforgettable close encounters aboard specialist wildlife cruises in the Hebrides
• Williamwood Farm

Political Advocate of the Year Award:

• WINNER: Dr Tom Dargie
• Kate Forbes MSP
• Lewis McDonald MSP
• Mairi Gougeon MSP
• Dr Ruth Tingay

RSPB Young Nature Champion Award:

• WINNERS: Xander Johnston and Kathleen McMillan
  
• Alasdair Lemon
• Robert Walsh
• Ross McIlwrath

Sustainable Development Award:

• WINNER: European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre Scientific Research Programme
• Barratts provides new homes for people and wildlife in Aberdeen
• Easterhouse Fossorial Water Vole Relocations
• Scottish Water – leaving a sustainable and thriving natural legacy

Youth & Education Award:

• WINNER: Reviving Rossie – Awakening a Secret Wood
• Curriculum Outdoors Attainment Challenge (COACh) East Ayrshire school’s
• Lambhill stables
• Our Lady’s Primary Schools #WildBottleSighting Campaign Success!
• SOC/Isle of May Bird Observatory Young Birders’ Training Course
• Sunnyside Primary: The Glasgow school leading the charge against plastics
  The Shieling Project – off-grid learning centre connecting heritage, nature, sustainability
• ‘Wild about Scotland’ an outreach programme connecting people with Scotland’s amazing biodiversity

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