The Scottish Invasive Species Initiative is among 11 winners of the national Helping It Happen awards, recognising their outstanding work supporting the economy, jobs and education, wildlife and the environment in rural Scotland

The Scottish Invasive Species Initiative has won the Enhancing our Environment through Land Management Award, sponsored by NatureScot. The Initiative is now an 8-year partnership project working with volunteers, landowners, and communities to tackle invasive non-native species (INNS) in rivers and watercourses in northern Scotland. The project is currently in its 6th year and works across 43 river catchments, making it the biggest invasive species project in Great Britain.

Project Officer Mark Purrmann-Charles and Volunteer & Communications Officer Jane Hamilton attended the awards ceremony in Edinburgh

The award recognises projects working to restore Scotland’s landscapes, mitigate climate change and halt biodiversity loss. Invasive species are a key driver of biodiversity loss and a major threat our environment. By tackling INNS, the Scottish Invasive Species Initiative is working to protect native species and restore degraded riparian habitats in Scotland.

The project has been recognised for its success delivering an innovative and community-based approach to tackling invasive species.

Callum Sinclair, Scottish Invasive Species Initiative Project Manager commented: “We are thrilled to win a Helping it Happen Award from Scottish Land & Estates.  We work across a large area of Scotland but can only do this with the support and engagement of many land managers and landowners with holdings both large and small. Our approach is about generating collective and collaborative action across river catchments to tackle the threat of invasive non-native species. This can only happen when land manager support, effective coordination, and committed community and volunteer action come together to work towards a common goal and purpose. To have our efforts recognised is testament to the contributions of everyone associated with the project.”    

Now in its seventh year, the Helping It Happen Awards have become firmly established in recognising the role of estates, rural businesses and community groups who are helping rural Scotland thrive. The awards are organised by rural business organisation, Scottish Land & Estates, and sponsored by NatureScot. A full list of the winners across the 11 award categories can he found here.

Sarah-Jane Laing, Chief Executive of Scottish Land & Estates, said: “Huge congratulations go to our Helping It Happen awards winners who exemplify everything that is great about rural Scotland. The independent judging panel took their time to deliberate over the awards after some hugely impressive shortlists were drawn up. All the winners and nominees make a considerable contribution to Scotland’s rural communities, economies and environment, often spending their own time and resources to be able to do so.

“The Helping It Happen awards are designed to publicly recognise these often unsung heroes in rural Scotland and it enables us to share positive real-life examples of action on climate change, education about the outdoors and work on promoting affordable rural housing. Their help and influence is vital in sustaining flourishing rural communities and motivating and encouraging others to follow their lead.”

Claudia Rowse, NatureScot’s Deputy Director of the Green Economy, said: “We love supporting the Helping it Happen Awards; each year they remind us to celebrate the hard work being done across the country that boosts the rural economy and protects the environment. In this year’s winners we have seen projects encouraging young people to connect with nature, inventive paths to farming success and different ways to keep our native species safe. Congratulations to all the inspiring nominees and winners!”

The winners were announced during a gala awards ceremony held in Edinburgh on 5 October.