WildLand Cairngorms shortlisted for RSPB Nature of Scotland Awards

Regenerating scots pines poking through flowering heather along the River Feshie, WildLand Cairngorms, Scotland. Credit: scotlandbigpicture.com

WildLand Cairngorms shortlisted for RSPB Nature of Scotland Awards

A local forest restoration project, has been shortlisted in the Forest and Woodland Award at RSPB Scotland’s 10th anniversary Nature of Scotland Awards.

The 15-year transformation of Glen Feshie from over-grazed pinewood is one of Scotland’s most exciting and celebrated forest recovery projects, it is a profound and spectacular demonstration of restoration potential. It is testament to the commitment of the Wildland Limited team, and the drive and determination of visionary owner, Anders Holch Povlsen. 

Anders Holch Povlsen purchased Glen Feshie in 2006, and within a year had commenced the most ambitious and spectacular native woodland recovery project in Scotland – a 200-year vision to expand the forest to its natural limit, including high altitude montane woodland.  The subsequent transformation of Glen Feshie from a heavily-grazed pinewood remnant to a seemingly unstoppable march of young pine, birch, alder, bird cherry, juniper, willow and rowan, is now widely seen as Scotland’s most exciting and inspiring forest restoration project.

Wildland Limited is major partner in the Cairngorms Connect partnership, encompassing some 60,000 hectares of the Cairngorm massif of which Wildland Limited covers some 53.4%.

Thomas MacDonell, Director of Conservation at Wildland Limited said;

“On behalf of Anders Holch Povlsen, and the Wildland Team, I’m delighted that the Wildland Cairngorms project forest restoration project has progressed to the shortlist for the Nature of Scotland Forest and Woodland Award.  We are looking forward to the next stage, and it will be fascinating to hear more about all of the shortlisted projects.”

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.

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

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.

Anne McCall, Director of RSPB Scotland said:

“The last 18 months have reignited many people’s love for nature, highlighting its importance to all aspects of our lives – be it our health, the economy, or wellbeing.

“This is reflected in the exceptionally high standard of entries for our 10th anniversary Nature of Scotland Awards. We’ve seen outstanding examples from community work and local dog walkers to businesses and schools making a fundamental change to their practices, for the benefit of our environment.

“Our judges will not have an easy job whittling this down to just nine winners, and in order to find our 10th I would urge everyone to vote for their Nature Champions of the Decade. Huge thanks to everyone who applied and congratulations to everyone who has been shortlisted!”

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.” 

For further details on the RSPB The Nature of Scotland Awards and to see the full 2021 shortlist, please visit the RSPB website here.

For more information on the Cairngorms Connect partnership, in which Wildland Limited is a major partner, please visit the website here.