Outstanding finalists announced for the RSPB Nature of Scotland Awards

7 September 2022

RSPB Partner news release

Over fifty finalists from all over the country have been shortlisted across ten categories in RSPB Scotland’s prestigious Nature of Scotland Awards, co-sponsored by NatureScot. The finalists were announced at a reception at the Scottish Parliament on 6 September, the first in-person celebration for the Nature of Scotland Awards since 2019.

A range of projects have made it through to the final, including a sustainably managed fish and chip shop in Stonehaven, an Inner City Nature Reserve in Glasgow and a Gaelic storybook about the rare great yellow bumblebee. Categories for this year’s awards see the return of the successful Health and Wellbeing Award, the Coasts and Waters Award, and the brand-new Citizen Science Award.

On 17 November 17, all 53 finalists will be invited to the Edinburgh International Conference Centre to enjoy a night of celebration, where the winners of all 10 categories will be announced.

The awards ceremony, now in its 11th year, will be hosted by wildlife presenter Iolo Williams and radio and tv presenter Arlene Stuart. They will recognise the individuals and organisations making a difference in their local communities, businesses and schools to support Scotland’s wildlife and special places.

Following the success of the public vote for Nature Champion of the Decade in 2021, nature-lovers are being invited to vote for this year’s Citizen Science Award, which will honour those who engage with volunteers to further our understanding of the natural world.

Anne McCall, Director of RSPB Scotland said: “Chairing the judging panel for the Nature of Scotland Awards is easily one of the best jobs I get to do as part of my role as Director of RSPB Scotland.

“I am so inspired by the number of new, exciting projects we hear about each year, working hard to conserve Scotland’s important habitats and wildlife. The judging process seems to get harder and harder every year! My fellow judges and I would like to thank everyone who took the time to apply and we look forward to meeting and celebrating with everyone from the conservation community at the ceremony in November.”

Mike Cantlay, Chair of Awards co-sponsor NatureScot, said: “We are delighted to be the co-sponsor of the Nature of Scotland awards with RSPB Scotland. We are joined in our national endeavour to tackle the biodiversity crisis in Scotland so that we can secure nature's benefits and deliver on net zero. This year’s shortlisted Nature of Scotland nominees are the people, businesses, organisations and communities who work tirelessly to take positive action for nature and we wish them every success for November’s final.”

Anyone with an interest in nature is welcome to attend the Awards ceremony, tickets are available on the RSPB website.

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