Nature and Climate Action Award Presented to Rewilding Affric Highlands at RSPB Scotland’s Nature of Scotland Awards 2025
Edinburgh, Scotland – On November 20, 2025, Rewilding Affric Highlands was announced as the winner of the Nature and Climate Action Award at the prestigious Nature of Scotland Awards, organized by RSPB Scotland. The ceremony, held at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre, brought together 53 finalists from all over Scotland to celebrate their contributions to the preservation and restoration of the country’s natural environment.
Rewilding Affric Highlands, a charity that aims to restore nature across more than 200,000 hectares of the central Highlands, was recognized for its collaborative efforts with landowners, local communities, businesses, and partner organizations. The initiative, which stretches from Loch Ness to Kintail and includes iconic areas such as Glens Affric, Cannich, Moriston, Shiel and Urquhart, aims to boost biodiversity, mitigate the effects of climate change, and create long-term benefits for people who live and work in the area.
Stephanie Kiel, executive director of Rewilding Affric Highlands, expressed her gratitude for the award, stating: “We’re deeply honored to receive this award. It recognizes the extraordinary commitment of our partners, landowners, and the local communities who have embraced this vision for a healthier, more connected landscape. Restoring nature at this scale is a long-term endeavor, and this acknowledgment strengthens our resolve to keep pushing forward.”
Through various initiatives such as peatland restoration, native woodland expansion, nature-friendly land management, and reconnection of ecological corridors, Affric Highlands is making a significant impact in preserving Scotland’s natural environment. The collaborative approach, which includes 21 landowners covering a total of over 81,000 hectares, is also helping to secure the future of one of Scotland’s most iconic landscapes.
Anne McCall, director of RSPB Scotland, praised the winners and their dedication to conservation, stating: “What a joy to see the Nature of Scotland Awards shining a light on the growing number of passionate and hardworking people doing so much for nature and climate. A massive congratulations to our inspirational winners. It is incredibly heartening to see the terrific conservation work happening in every corner of the country. Thank you for everything you do.”
Professor Colin Galbraith, chair of awards headline sponsor NatureScot, also praised the winners for their commitment to preserving nature. He said, “This year’s Nature of Scotland award winners show the power of people’s connections with nature, and how this can inspire innovative conservation action. When we care passionately for our environment great things can be achieved for us all in our daily lives. Congratulations to these nature heroes for their creativity, commitment and achievements that are helping nature and everyone across Scotland.”
Rewilding Affric Highlands is part of Rewilding Europe’s family of major European-wide flagship rewilding landscapes, which includes areas such as Sweden’s Nordic Taiga and Italy’s Central Apennines. In April of this year, the initiative launched as an independent charity, having previously worked as a joint venture led by Trees for Life since 2021, with support from Rewilding Europe. This followed the initiative’s first three years as Trees for Life’s East-West Wild project, which involved extensive preparation and local consultation.
With a goal to cover over 700 square miles, Rewilding Affric Highlands encourages more landowners to join their cause as they continue their efforts to restore and preserve Scotland’s natural environment. For more information, please visit affrichighlands.org.
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