23 Sept 2025

Trust nature and climate initiatives shortlisted for awards

Written by Devan LaBrash

The exterior of Robert Burns Birthplace Museum on a sunny day, seen from across the lawn. A wooden bench stands in the foreground.

Robert Burns Birthplace Museum has been shortlisted for the Nature Tourism Award.

Two of the Trust’s places are finalists in this year’s RSPB Nature of Scotland Awards.

The Glencoe Habitat Recovery Project has been nominated for the Nature and Climate Action Award, and Robert Burns Birthplace Museum has been shortlisted for the Nature Tourism Award.

As part of the Glencoe Habitat Recovery Project, the team created a comprehensive habitat management plan with the objective to protect the landscape and support its recovery from over-grazing, invasive plant species and dwindling freshwater habitats.

Work to support the project included the replacement of over 8,000m of fencing, combined with deer management, to reduce grazing and protect the native broadleaf, pinewood, grassland and montane scrub habitats.

It also focused on the removal of invasive rhododendron to reduce future seed-spread, as well as helping the riparian woodlands along the banks of the River Coe at Achnacon, by lowering the grazing level to support tree growth.

The project was funded by the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund, managed by NatureScot, alongside funding raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

Two rangers in dark waterproof outdoor clothing construct a fence on the banks of a loch, surrounded by bracken. The ranger in the foreground uses a saw to cut a post. Tall mountains are in the background.

At RBBM, the team has been working hard to make it a carbon-negative site by 2032. They have been promoting and instigating sustainable working methods across all departments, enhancing the broader site for the benefit of biodiversity, and using Burns’s own love of the natural world to serve as inspiration when sharing the sustainable vision with visitors.

RBBM began with the installation of a ground source heat pump, an earth-to-air heat exchanger and solar panels. Much of the garden equipment has been changed to battery-powered, and the sedum roof keeps the building cool in summer, warm in winter and acts as a carbon sink.

Wildflowers have also been planted to encourage biodiversity, and no harmful chemicals or insecticides are used on site.

Low-carbon travel is promoted to both visitors and staff; and as well as being part of external nature and climate groups, a network of Trust staff and volunteers meet regularly as the Sustainability Group to review and work toward RBBM’s climate objectives.

A large area of a flat roof, covered in a pinkish sedum plant which is flowering in patches. A person walks across the roof, inspecting it.

Much of this work supports the Trust’s Plan for Nature, launched in 2024. This plan outlines our ambitions and priorities for conserving the nature in our care and promotes access, education and enjoyment of nature, as well as its vital protection. We look after a broad range of important habitats and species across the country, covering all aspects of nature – ancient Scottish rainforests, impressive seabird colonies, rare mountain plants, and much more. Our conservation work will play an important part in delivering government commitments for nature, including the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy, and tackling the nature and climate crises.

The winners of this year’s RSPB Nature of Scotland Awards will be announced at a ceremony in Edinburgh on 20 November. Congratulations and good luck to all the nominees!