This year the Nature of Scotland Awards, led by RSPB Scotland and co-sponsored by NatureScot, harnessed social media to announce which of the exceptional entrants had been shortlisted for the prestigious conservation awards.
The finalists for this year’s Nature of Scotland Awards were announced yesterday, and over 50 outstanding groups and individuals making a difference for Scotland’s nature are up for awards.
The Nature of Scotland Awards, now in their ninth year, usually host a shortlisting event at the Scottish Parliament. This year, however, the Awards, turned to Twitter and Facebook to announce the shortlisted people and projects.
The awards celebrate nature heroes, championing people, projects and community groups going above and beyond to protect Scottish wildlife.
There are nine awards this year, including two new categories for 2020: Forest and Woodland Award, and Nature and Climate Action Award. Shortlisted projects in these categories include the return of Aberdeen’s red squirrels, and a carbon negative business model.
Other shortlisted projects include Alastair Stephen – ‘The King of Fish’ who is committed to improve conditions, raise awareness, understanding and support for salmon – up for the RSPB Species Champion Award and a primary school’s community pond project nominated for the Youth and Education Award.
The events ceremony will also be held online this year, hosted virtually by Make it Edinburgh Live on November 25. Finalists and supporters will be invited to join the event, and tickets will also be made available to the wider public. More information on how to attend the awards ceremony from your own home can be found on the RSPB Scotland Facebook event, and on the Nature of Scotland Awards Twitter page (@NatureofScot).
Anne McCall, Director of RSPB Scotland and Chair of the Judging Panel said: “I’d like to say a huge thank you to every nomination and massive congratulations to those who have been shortlisted. This has been a uniquely challenging year for many and never has it felt more important to understand our interdependency with the natural world. I wish everyone the best of luck and look forward to the online awards ceremony which will offer an opportunity for more of us than ever before to join in the celebrations”
NatureScot Chief Executive Francesca Osowska said: “We’re so pleased to be co-sponsoring the Nature of Scotland Awards again this year, it is such a great opportunity to recognise those people in Scotland going above and beyond for our unique and precious environments.
“This year is set to be very different to previous Awards, but there are some fantastic projects shortlisted and I’d like to congratulate everyone who is making a difference for nature. We’re proud to be sponsoring the NatureScot Business Award again this year, celebrating businesses large and small who put the natural world at the heart of their work.”
