‘Nature and climate’ recognition for Flow Country Partnership at RSPB Scotland awards
The partnership behind a bid for the Flow Country to receive World Heritage Site status from Unesco has won the ‘Nature and Climate’ Award at RSPB Scotland’s Nature of Scotland Awards 2024.
The Flow Country Partnership, which brings together a community of crofters, farmers, landowners and managers, local businesses, residents, ecologists and local government officials, oversees the Flow Country, a vast peatbog covering much of Caithness and Sutherland.
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Regarded as one of the best examples of a blanket bog in the world, The Flow Country, inscribed as an World Heritage Site earlier this year, stores around 400 million tonnes of carbon – more than all the UK’s forests and woodlands combined. Despite this, it still contains large areas degraded by drainage, afforestation and erosion.
The Flow Country Partnership is working to develop a revitalised, sustainably and collaboratively managed landscape, re-evaluating and restoring peatlands and safeguarding against threats like wildfire. Its work is helping to address the climate crisis, protect the biodiversity of important habitats and wildlife, and create opportunities in the local community.
Professor Stuart Gibb, chair of the Flow Country Partnership and director of the UHI Environmental Research Institute, part of UHI North, West and Hebrides, said: “Winning this award is a testament to the incredible work of the Flow Country Partnership and the collective dedication of everyone involved.
“It highlights the importance of this globally unique landscape, and the vital role partnerships play in its protection and restoration.
“Together, we are safeguarding one of the world’s most remarkable ecosystems while tackling climate change, preserving biodiversity, and creating opportunities that benefit both nature and local communities.
“This recognition affirms our commitment to ensuring the Flow Country remains a thriving, resilient landscape for generations to come."
53 award finalists from all over Scotland gathered at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) on November 28 to celebrate with hosts BBC Landward presenters and nature enthusiasts Dougie Vipond and Arlene Stuart.
The awards have been running for over a decade, and this year the headline sponsor was NatureScot.
The Nature of Scotland Awards recognises individuals and organisations making a difference across local communities, schools, and businesses to support Scotland’s wildlife and natural environment.
This year’s Nature of Scotland Awards have not only celebrated innovation and passion in environmental conservation but have also shone a spotlight on projects like the Flow Country’s Unesco bid, that are securing Scotland's natural legacy for generations to come.
Anne McCall, Director of RSPB Scotland said: “Once again the Nature of Scotland Awards have brought a growing group of hardworking, motivated and passionate people into the conservation spotlight, and I’d like to wish all our winners a huge congratulations.
It’s a joy to see such incredible work happening across the country with nature and climate at its heart, and Scotland is all the better for it. Thank you.”
Professor Colin Galbraith, Chair of awards headline sponsor NatureScot, said: “As Scotland takes up the challenge to stop the biodiversity loss our generation has witnessed, this year's award winners are the true nature heroes we all need in our lives.
"Their energy, expertise and compassion is truly inspirational, and reason for celebration. Their achievements give us all hope for a nature-rich future across Scotland and demonstrate that everyone can take action to help."
