The Buglife B-Line map for Scotland has won the prestigious innovation award at RSPB Scotland’s 10th anniversary Nature of Scotland Awards.
B-Lines are Buglife’s response to the decline of bees and other pollinating insects, a plan for how to reconnect our wild places by creating a network of wildflowers across our landscapes. They were mapped by local communities across Scotland, from the Scottish Borders to the Highlands & Islands, with support from a team of conservation scientists and GIS experts from Buglife.
Our precious pollinators are disappearing from large parts of the countryside – there are fewer bees, hoverflies, butterflies and moths – and as well as the loss of abundance, some species are at risk of extinction in Scotland. But we can change this, by working together to restore wildflower areas in our countryside and urban areas we can aid nature’s recovery.
Claire Pumfrey, Buglife Conservation Officer, said “Our pollinators are in decline for a number of reasons, but the main cause is the loss of wildflowers in our countryside and urban areas. B-Lines maps and then creates a network of wildflowers, creating connections for our wildlife to move more freely across our landscape. Thank you to everyone who has helped with the map and been involved with B-Lines projects so far, now we need to continue to make this happen on the ground”
Co-sponsored by NatureScot, the awards celebrated the many individuals and organisations making a difference in their local communities, businesses and schools to support Scotland’s wildlife and special places.
10 winners were awarded in the virtual ceremony on Wednesday 17 November, which was hosted by BBC Landward’s Arlene Stuart.
This year saw a special 10th anniversary accolade for Nature Champions of the Decade, which was decided by a public vote from a selection of previous winners from the last 10 years. Presented by Lorna Slater MSP, the award was given to Sunnyside Primary School, which committed to creating and spreading inspiring campaigns such as #DrainCampaign and #DareToSoar; as well as challenging Government policy and bringing about change across many biomes.
Anne McCall, Director of RSPB Scotland said: “The standard of entries for this year’s awards was excellent – especially when we consider how challenging the last two years have been for many.
“My fellow judges and I had a difficult job narrowing down our finalists to winners, as we saw some incredible examples of projects and initiatives from across the country – highlighting how much we value nature here in Scotland.
“I’d like to extend my congratulations to all of our winners, and a special congratulations to our Nature Champions of the Decade; Sunnyside Primary. The young people there have worked tirelessly over the years to introduce campaigns to support Scotland’s species and habitats. It is this attitude in our young people that will help support the conservation of Scotland’s nature for generations to come.”
Francesca Osowska, chief executive of awards co-sponsor NatureScot, said: “COP 26 has highlighted the urgent need to tackle the twin crises of nature loss and climate change facing us all.
“Against that backdrop, it has been even more heartening to see an incredibly high standard of entries for this year’s awards. It’s particularly inspiring to see Sunnyside Primary School crowned our Nature Champions of the Decade, showing the power of the next generation, and reminding us that we all have to be champions for nature.”
