Nature heroes celebrated at wildlife awards ceremony

23 November 2018

Kate Humble hosts presentation dinner announcing Nature of Scotland Awards 2018 winners

With all eyes on the future of our nature and wildlife, RSPB Scotland celebrated some of the country’s nature heroes at their annual Nature of Scotland Awards presentation dinner last night (Thursday 22 November) with co-sponsor NatureScot.

The evening was a celebration of the passionate and dedicated people fighting to save Scotland’s wildlife and our unique and special places.

Kate Humble, TV presenter, writer and naturalist, hosted the event at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in Edinburgh, where 11 people and projects received beautiful trophies designed by Bryony Knox and sponsored by Turcan Connell.

Winners included a project awakening young people’s appreciation of wildlife, work encouraging wellbeing through therapeutic gardening, and two young nature champions making an important difference to wildlife and conservation.

This is the full list of winners:

• Food & Farming Award (sponsored by The James Hutton Institute): Common Farm
• Business Award: Barratts provides new homes for people and wildlife in Aberdeen
• Innovation Award (sponsored by Balfour Beatty): CuanTec
• Sustainable Development Award (sponsored by The Ardmore): European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre Scientific Research Programme
• Community Initiative Award (sponsored by GreenPower): Ninewells Community Garden: therapeutic gardening for all
• RSPB Young Nature Champion Award (sponsored by ScottishPower): Xander Johnston and Kathleen McMillan 
• NatureScot Youth and Education Award: Reviving Rossie – Awakening a secret wood
• Nature Tourism Award (sponsored by Scottish Water): The Argaty Red Kite Project
• Political Advocate of the Year: Dr Tom Dargie

Sir John Lister-Kaye OBE was recognised with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his work as a naturalist, conservationist, author, and educator.

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, NatureScot Chairman, said: “NatureScot 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.”

original source: RSPB

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