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Landscape group working in Assynt nominated for RSPB Nature of Scotland award


By Caroline McMorran

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Coigach & Assynt Living Landscape Partnership (CALLP) has been shortlisted in the Community Initiative category of RSPB Scotland’s 10th anniversary Nature of Scotland Awards (NoSA).

One of the largest community-led partnership in Scotland, CALLP has 14 partners, 10 of which are drawn from local communities.

Communities in Coigach and Assynt have worked together to achieve positive change for wildlife and people. Picture: Chris Puddephatt.
Communities in Coigach and Assynt have worked together to achieve positive change for wildlife and people. Picture: Chris Puddephatt.

The initiative has focused not just on the area’s ecology and wildlife but also on supporting rural industries, creating employment opportunities, recording the historical role of the community in the landscape and attracting people to both visit and live in the area.

CALLP has attracted nearly £5 million funding and launched more than 30 individual projects.

Boyd Alexander, the scheme’s manager, said “I am delighted that CALLP has been nominated for the NoSA Community Initiative award. The partnership and projects have achieved truly amazing outputs, and being shortlisted for NoSA is an accolade to all our partners and the wider community of Coigach and Assynt.”

The awards, co-sponsored by NatureScot, mark a decade of celebrating Scotland’s nature champions. They will recognise the individuals and organisations making a difference in their local communities, businesses and schools to support Scotland’s wildlife and special places.

Fifty-two initiatives from across Scotland have been shortlisted across nine categories, and winners will be announced at a virtual ceremony on November. 17.

This year will also see a special 10th anniversary accolade for Nature Champions of the Decade, which will be decided by a public vote from a selection of previous winners from the last 10 years.

Francesca Osowska, chief executive of awards co-sponsor NatureScot, said: “The applications for the Nature of Scotland Awards have been inspiring, showing we all benefit from nature, and everyone can help to create a nature-rich future in Scotland.

“We’re proud to support the awards, and we are particularly excited this year to be sponsoring the new Nature Champions of the Decade category.

“Good luck to all of the shortlisted finalists, we look forward to celebrating the many dedicated people and projects leading the way to protect and enhance our biodiversity.”


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