Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Dundee project takes home top award
A DUNDEE project has taken home a top prize from the RSPB’s Nature of Scotland Awards, hosted by BBC Springwatch presenter Chris Packham at Edinburgh’s Prestonfield House Hotel last night.
“Magic Margins” collected the Innovation Award, sponsored by Vattenfall. Field staff at the Balruddery Farm of the James Hutton Institute established the initiative to halt soil erosion on farm land and to diffuse pollution. When planted, the field margins also attract pollinators and insects while providing excellent refuges and food reservoirs for mammals and birds.
The Nature of Scotland Awards is an annual event organised by RSPB Scotland, to discover and reward the most impressive people and projects working to conserve wildlife across the country.
Euan Caldwell, head of farms, field and glasshouse facilities at the James Hutton Institute, was absolutely delighted to accept this award on behalf of the farm staff.
He said: “The farm team developed these innovative margins themselves and they are now integrated into our farming system, as part of our LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming) principles. The competition for these awards is always strong and we are honoured to win and be formally recognised by the RSPB Nature of Scotland Awards.”
Chris Packham said: “I am delighted to have been able to host the awards for a second year.
“It was an honour to meet all of the worthy winners and learn more about the people driving some of the most important species and habitat work across the country.”
Stuart Housden, director of RSPB Scotland, said: “Congratulations to everyone who has taken home a Nature of Scotland Award this year — they were all well and truly deserved.”