GreenPower was proud to once again sponsor the RSPB Nature of Scotland Awards, for the twelfth year in a row, and extends its warm congratulations to every shortlisted project and the superb winners. The Nature of Scotland Award is dedicated to celebrating the people, projects and partnerships that work tirelessly to protect species and habitats in Scotland.
GreenPower sponsorship contribution to the awards started back in 2014, and is the sponsor of the ‘Best Community Initiative’ which is decided by public vote. It is always an incredibly difficult category to choose a winner, because every shortlisted project is truly inspirational.
This year’s winner by popular acclaim is: Kilminning – Turning Tarmac into Wetland
Kilminning – Turning Tarmac into Wetland
The Crail community transformed a tarmac covered brownfield site into a local nature reserve in 2024. They organized a Community Land Asset Transfer, raised £260K to dig a wetland and bury the tarmac, and planted a meadow and 4,000 trees. 17,500 toad tadpoles, wildflowers and smiles appeared this spring.
The full shortlist was:
- Aberdeen B-Lines: Pollinator Pathways in the Granite City
- Culbokie Buzzing
- Greyhope Bay: Connecting Communities and the Coast
- Kilminning – Turning Tarmac into Wetland
- Lauriston Farm run by the Edinburgh Agroecology Co-operative
- River Goil Restoration
Rob Forrest, GreenPower CEO, said: “What a brilliant achievement by all at Kilminning – Turning Tarmac into Wetland in winning this award – it really is truly inspirational – well done too to all the shortlisted projects, all could easily have been winners in what is always a very tight contest.
“GreenPower has been funding a wide range of community benefit projects as part of its core business so linking up with RSPB to support their Award for ‘Best Community Initiative’ is something we are very proud to be associated with.”
Aberdeen B-Lines was an ambitious pollinator habitat creation project delivered by Buglife Scotland in partnership with Aberdeen City Council. At project completion, almost 12.3 hectares of urban land were transformed to provide forage, shelter and nesting for the beautiful pollinators of the city, including butterflies, bees, and more.
The project is Culbokie Green – a 1ha nature oasis on community-owned land in the heart of Culbokie. It includes wildflower meadows, an orchard, natural play areas, accessible paths, seating, a timber shelter and a pollinator bed. Managed by volunteers this project fosters biodiversity, inclusion and community engagement.
Greyhope Bay brings people together at Aberdeen’s Torry Battery to celebrate and protect coastal nature. Thanks to its passionate volunteers, Greyhope delivers regular educational and creative workshops, biodiversity surveys, conservation-focused projects, and inclusive community events that inspire environmental action, champion local heritage, and create peaceful spaces for wildlife and wellbeing.
The Crail community transformed a tarmac covered brownfield site into a local nature reserve in 2024. They organized a Community Land Asset Transfer, raised £260K to dig a wetland and bury the tarmac, and planted a meadow and 4,000 trees. 17,500 toad tadpoles, wildflowers and smiles appeared this spring.
Lauriston Farm, a 100-acre site in North Edinburgh, is a bold and inspiring example of urban agroecology in action. Led by the Edinburgh Agroecology Co-operative, the farm is transforming a depleted monoculture pasture into a vibrant landscape based on biodiversity, community connection and sustainable food production.
Lochgoil Community Trust have embedded nature restoration throughout their approach – from inspirational restoration on the River Goil to creating a community park, walking trails and working with the National Park Authority to pilot innovative approaches for communities to influence land use planning.