Hunt for businesses who do their bit for conservation

Scottish businesses know how important the environment is to us all – and we’re looking to hear from the best of them.

The Scottish Rural Awards is looking for nominations for the 2019 competition in all of its categories, and today, we highlight the Conservation and Environment sector.

The Scottish Rural Awards takes a realistic view of what conservation means, and what can be, and is being, achieved at present. Scotland’s diverse landscape is home to a multitude of resources, and it has never been more crucial to ensure that these are safeguarded in a sustainable manner for the future.

This category is open to entries from all types of conservation businesses, including environmental conservation, animal conservation and marine conservation. Businesses whose primary concerns lie in the green energy, land mapping, ethical estate management, forestry or heritage preservation industries may also enter this category, as well as any other businesses which place a key emphasis on promoting environmental best practice.

Angus Glens Moorland Group won the Conservation and Environment category for 2018

Judgees will be looking for evidence that nominees have a proactive approach to enhancing the landscape of rural Scotland by methods of sustainability, protection, rescue, introduction or reorganisation.

The judges will be asking the following: How does the nominee strive to promote biodiversity?; Does the nominee go above and beyond their line of duty to enhance the Scottish countryside for the benefit of all?

The winner of the 2018 award was the Angus Glens Moorland Group, a collection of rural estates throughout Angus, with judges praising the group’s conservation of rare heather moorland.

https://youtu.be/HazGgOxX8Hc

Runners-up were the Loch Ryan Oyster Fishery, based in Cairnryan. While a commercially viable fishery, the Loch Ryan team are absolutely determined by their approach to conservation, sustainable management of the oyster bed and the safeguarding of this precious and unique resource.

Highly commended were CH & AK Walker from Duns, in the Scottish Borders. The 625 acre upland farm is home to 700 wool shedding ewes and 90 Welsh Black cows. These are run on a low input, grass fed, organic farming system that is successfully integrated with a commitment to rural stewardship.

Find out more about the awards by clicking HERE.