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Conservation heroes honoured at Nature of Scotland Awards

Innovation Award winners NWSS with Prof Iain Gordon (courtesy RSPB)
"The Native Woodland Survey of Scotland has provided the first authoritative and consistent digital map of all of Scotland’s native woodlands

Conservation heroes from across the country were honoured last night at the third annual RSPB Nature of Scotland Awards, where Professor Iain Gordon, Chief Executive of the James Hutton Institute, presented the Innovation Award to the Native Woodland Survey of Scotland.

Red squirrels, river regeneration and renewable energy were just some of the projects to scoop top prizes during the event. The Native Woodland Survey of Scotland, winner of the Innovation accolade, was set up by Forestry Commission Scotland and has provided the first authoritative and consistent digital map of all of Scotland’s native woodlands, offering the most robust and detailed dataset ever compiled to aid conservation of this important resource.

Helen Sellars, Head of Sustainable Forest Management at Forestry Commission Scotland, said: "We are delighted that this major piece of work, which has established a baseline for the location, condition and type of native woodland in Scotland, has won the prestigious Innovation Award. The project involved a great many people over several years, and this award recognises the tremendous effort made and is a fitting accolade for all involved.”

On behalf of the James Hutton Institute, Professor Iain Gordon said: “We are delighted to once more support the Nature of Scotland Awards to celebrate the people who do so much for Scotland’s incredible biodiversity and natural landscapes. There were many excellent nominations for the award.

"The Native Woodland Survey of Scotland is a very worthy winner of the Innovation Award sponsored by the Institute; the digital map of all of Scotland’s native woodlands, the first of its kind in the UK, represents a considerable milestone in the understanding of our iconic native woods.”

Scotland is renowned worldwide for its beautiful wild places and abundant wildlife and the awards recognise and celebrate excellence, innovation and outstanding achievement in nature conservation. The Awards brought together 300 industry professionals, public sector organisations, community groups, politicians, charities and conservationists - all of whom have an interest in safeguarding Scotland’s natural heritage.

The 2014 judging panel consisted of BBC presenter Euan McIlwraith, wildlife editor Sophie Stafford, Chief Executive of SNH Ian Jardine, respected naturalist Sir John Lister-Kaye OBE, and was chaired by Director of RSPB Scotland, Stuart Housden OBE.

Naturalist, author and TV presenter Chris Packham, who hosted the event, said: “It’s an honour to have been able to congratulate so many worthy winners at this year’s Nature of Scotland Awards. All of the projects were impressive and it’s truly inspirational to see so many people working to conserve Scotland’s precious wealth of wildlife and habitats. Conserving and restoring nature for future generations is so important and all of the effort and enthusiasm that goes into that is exactly what these awards recognise.”

Stuart Housden, Director of RSPB Scotland, said: “Congratulations to all of this year’s winners - it has been a real privilege to recognise and reward some truly inspirational projects. The Nature of Scotland Awards is an opportunity to honour the best and brightest in nature conservation and it’s encouraging to see so many people coming together from across the whole country to take action for wildlife. Scotland can truly say it has worthy champions giving nature a home.”

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Printed from /news/conservation-heroes-honoured-nature-scotland-awards on 28/03/24 03:54:23 PM

The James Hutton Research Institute is the result of the merger in April 2011 of MLURI and SCRI. This merger formed a new powerhouse for research into food, land use, and climate change.