GreenPower was delighted to celebrate an amazing array of community led nature projects at the 10th RSPB Nature of Scotland Awards held virtually on Wednesday evening.
The Community Initiative Award, sponsored by GreenPower for the 8th year running, is for outstanding community-based initiatives that clearly demonstrate what they have done for the benefit of nature. These projects are developed and led by the people it serves and act as an inspiration to others offering real value to the whole community.
The winner this year was Little Acorns CIC, a community and nature-based holistic learning community forest school based in Auchincruive, Ayr. Through environmental sustainability young and old have come together to design, build and maintain a thriving woodland learning habitat for both humans and nature. They run parent and toddler classes, woodland workshops, gardening clubs, support groups, intergenerational sessions and nature clubs for children.
Such was the quality of the projects shortlisted there were also two projects which were highly commended:
Coigach & Assynt Living Landscape Partnership Scheme is one of the largest community-led partnerships in Scotland, with 10 of 14 partners drawn from local communities. Despite a population of just 1,400, this community has pulled together to bring significant positive change for the nature, heritage and economic prospects of this remote area.
Growing for Garnock – through Growing for Garnock, Eadha Enterprises have planted over 3000 wild plants across the Garnock Connections landscape. They have inspired volunteers and community groups to undertake this work as well, creating new and improved greenspaces in places that matter to local people, from urban parks to riverside meadows.
Rob Forrest, CEO of GreenPower, said, “Supporting communities and protecting nature are embedded in the ethos of our company. The Climate Emergency needs everyone to take direct action to protect nature and these projects show what can be achieved.”
The full awards ceremony can be viewed here.