Nature of Scotland Awards - it's time to start your application!

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) are once more celebrating the inspirational people, projects and partnerships that support Scotland’s species, and they need your help to find them!  

For over a decade, the Nature of Scotland Awards have recognised the very best in Scottish nature conservation. With the support of sponsors and in partnership with headline sponsor NatureScot, they are seeking to highlight excellence, collaboration and action for nature. 

RSPB want to hear from businesses, farmers, non-governmental organisations, schools, community groups and individuals who have supported Scottish species and habitats in the past three years. They would particularly like to see entrants who are collaborating with partners to make maximum impact for nature. Whether you’d like to showcase your own work or nominate others, the Nature of Scotland Awards are open to all – and it’s free to take part.

The awards feature ten categories in total. This year sees the welcome return of two very popular categories, focusing on the achievements of young people and the nature tourism sector.     

• The Youth Action Award is open to groups of young people aged under 25 who are taking action for nature, whether that’s through enhancing green spaces, conducting citizen science projects or inspiring others to make environmentally-conscious choices.   
• The  Nature Tourism Award seeks to recognise tourism businesses and initiatives that are going beyond simply reducing their negative impact on the environment and are making a positive difference for nature.  

Sponsers include NatureScot, Scottish Water, GreenPower and The James Hutton Institute. 

The awards are open for entries until 28 May 2024. The shortlist for the awards will be announced at a special reception at the Scottish Parliament on the 24 September, leading to the grand awards ceremony at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre on the 28 November 2024. 

The ten award categories are:

• Business for Nature Award
• Coasts and Waters Award
• Community Initiative Award
• Farming with Nature Award
• Health and Wellbeing Award
• Innovation Award
• Nature and Climate Action Award
• Nature Tourism Award
• RSPB Species Champion Award
• The Youth Action Award

Full details including how to apply can be found here