Brought to you by RSPB Scotland and co-sponsored by Scottish Natural Heritage, The Nature of Scotland Awards recognises excellence, innovation and outstanding achievement in nature conservation. This year there are a record number of nominations celebrating those dedicated to protecting our precious natural heritage and GreenPower is delighted to be sponsoring the Community Initiative Award for the fifth year running. Seven excellent projects have been shortlisted for the award:
CCI – Clydesdale Community Initiatives – an award winning social enterprise and a professional construction company. We use small to medium sized landscape construction, horticulture and be-spoke woodcraft contracts as platforms for delivering exceptional health improvement, training and social inclusion outcomes.
Friends of Happy Valley – Happy Valley is a much-loved, magical woodland garden in Stenness, Orkney and was created by Edwin Harrold who created this small woodland over his lifetime. After Edwin’s death, the property was gifted by its owner to Orkney Islands Council. An informal group of Orkney residents came together to help maintain the site and to keep its story alive.
Greening Our Street – promoting biodiversity in the urban landscape! A community group in Lauriston Street and Gardens in Edinburgh dedicated to Greening Our Street and creating an environment where birds and bees, and local residents, can thrive.
Inverclydebuzz: Pollinator Corridor Project – formed a year ago by beekeepers from Inverclyde and North Ayrshire along with concerned residents worried about the plight of bees and pollinators and the wild flowers on which they depend. They aim to establish mini wild flower meadows (the pollinator corridor) through Inverclyde to provide much needed food for bees and butterflies, as well as looking beautiful.
Ninewells Community Garden: therapeutic gardening for all – Ninewells Community Garden lies in the beautiful arboretum of Ninewells Hospital in Dundee. We promote physical activity and healthy living through community gardening; in an environment where horticulture supports wellbeing, therapy and rehabilitation. The garden is free to visit and is open to all, 7 days a week
Tiree Great Yellow Bumblebee Project – project to preserve and increase the number of great yellow bumblebee. It is one of the UK’s rarest bumblebees having declined across the UK by 80% in the last century. The project involves the local community along with the local school and its pupils in improving the habitat for these bees.
Water of Leith – 30 years – The Water of Leith Conservation Trust works to conserve and enhance the river, its heritage and wildlife: The Trust promotes education and recreation through the, open daily, Visitor Centre, and works with volunteers and community groups to deliver around 100 river clean-ups and habitat improvement tasks annually.
Hosted by TV presenter, writer and naturalist Kate Humble and BTV and radio presenter Euan McIlwraith, this year’s awards are anticipated to be the biggest and best yet with the prestigious black-tie presentation dinner taking place at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in Edinburgh on Thursday 22 November.