Let’s recognise all the great Scots standing up for nature

The Nature of Scotland Awards celebrate all those looking to protect our wild habitats at a time when we need them more than ever, says Seonaid Mason

Scotland’s nature is incredible. Ancient Celtic rainforest rich in rare lichens and wildlife; vibrant machair grasslands humming with rare types of bumblebee; sub-arctic alpine plateau in the Cairngorms overlooking 600 square kilometres of wild land and over 5,000 species including capercaillie, golden eagles and wildcats; the largest blanket bog in Europe storing almost 400 million tonnes of carbon; and internationally important populations of some extraordinary endangered species.

Unfortunately, as beautiful and diverse as our nature is, it is also incredibly fragile. We are at a pivotal moment in history with the nature and climate emergency causing a damaging imbalance for the environment. Our wild habitats not only provide a home for some amazing species, they also have enormous potential for locking in carbon from theatmosphereandprovidingasolution to some of the issues caused by climate change. It has never been more vital to protect our nature.

Together, we can achieve this. Businesses, communities, individuals, and partnerships are standing up for Scotland’s nature and ensuring it has space to thrive and grow. The Natureofscotlandawardscelebrate these efforts every year. Organised by RSPB Scotland and co-sponsored bynaturescot,theawardsrecognise the very best in nature conservation.

Environmental, social and governance criteria are becoming of increasing importance to companies, with investors, clients and customers seeing that ethical impact and sustainability of the business go hand in hand. The refreshed Business for Nature Award recognises that businesses do have a critical roletoplayinfightingthenatureand climate emergency, and celebrates businesses which grasp the opportunity with both hands. We want to hear from businesses in all sectors andofallsizes,fromsmallbusinesses using their knowledge of local wildlife to the sector leaders making real changes for nature.

2021’s Awards saw Scotia Seeds taking the trophy for the Business Award, after being shortlisted from amongst some truly incredible entries. Believing in biodiversity from the roots up, Scotia Seeds are pioneering producers of wildflower seedswhichhavebeenusedtocreate spaces for nature all over Scotland andbeyond.supportingwildanimal and plant communities is at the core of their business.

Fionaguest,co-owneranddirector of Scotia Seeds said on receipt of the Award, “For over two decades Scotia Seedshascontinuedtogrowasasuccessful, sustainable rural business with biodiversity at its heart. Recognition of a small but mighty, conservation led business like Scotia Seeds by champions of the natural world like RSPB Scotland and Naturescot is a huge honour.”

At nearly 25 years old, Scotia Seeds is a small but mighty sustainable business from both an environmental and commercial perspective, showing that environmental sustainability and commercial growth complement each other to form a successful business model.

Entries for 2022 are now open. If you know an individual, community group, business or organisation who have made a positive difference to Scotland’s nature, visit rspb.org. uk/natureofscotlandtotellusaboutit andfindouthowyoucanapply,orfollowourtwitterpage@natureofscot. Seonaid Mason, Senior Development Officer, RSPB Scotland