Caithness and Sutherland Flow Country hub shortlisted in nature awards
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A PROJECT that highlights and investigates the peatlands of Caithness and Sutherland is up for an award.
The Flow Country Research Hub (FCRH) is one of more than 40 projects from across Scotland that have been shortlisted for the eighth Nature of Scotland Awards, hosted by RSPB Scotland and co-sponsored by Scottish Natural Heritage.
The hub is a network of researchers and stakeholders interested by peatland research in the Flow Country, the far north's large expanse of blanket bog.
It aims to establish the Flow Country as a UK focal point of peatland science addressing issues such as climate change, biodiversity, resource management and sustainability.
The shortlist of nominees up for this year’s Nature of Scotland Awards were announced at a reception in the Scottish Parliament, hosted by Emma Harper MSP and sponsored by The Botanist.
This is the eighth year of the awards, and trophies will be presented on December 4 in Edinburgh.
A record number of projects were nominated for their achievements in the natural world all over Scotland.
There are nine categories, and 44 entries have been shortlisted representing people, projects and community groups across the country from Shetland to South Lanarkshire, Aberdeen to Stirling, with the youngest nominees still at school. All those shortlisted are invited to the awards ceremony later this year.
This year there are two new categories: the Conservation Science Award, and the Coasts and Waters Award.
Anne McCall, director of RSPB Scotland, said: “These awards are a great opportunity to celebrate people who strive to help nature in Scotland every day. All of the projects and people nominated this year are making important contributions to the future of wildlife, no matter the scale of their impact.
“Every nominee should feel proud of what they have achieved and what they will continue to achieve. The awards ceremony will be a wonderful evening and I look forward to meeting everyone there. It is a real highlight of working for RSPB Scotland.”
SNH chief executive Francesca Osowska said: “We’re delighted to co-sponsor the Nature of Scotland Awards and yet again the shortlist reveals a wealth of amazing work individuals and communities across Scotland are doing to help more people enjoy and benefit from nature.
“This year we are pleased to be sponsoring the SNH business award, and it’s great to see the nominees in this category leading the way with innovative and inspiring ideas to help us all live more sustainably.”
