2005 NFU Scotland Farmland Biodiversity Award - Saving Scotland's Rare Species And Habitats
02/03/05

Two farmers who have helped protect some of Scotland's rarest species, including the Golden Eagle and Red Kite, have been rewarded through one of Scotland's top conservation awards. Scotland's First Minister, Jack McConnell, presented both the winner and runner-up of the 2005 NFU Scotland Farmland Biodiversity Award, with their prizes at the NFUS AGM on Thursday 24 February at the St Andrews Bay Hotel.

Sponsored by RSPB Scotland and in association with the Scottish Farmer, the NFUS Farmland Biodiversity Award rewards and recognises those who contribute to benefiting priority species or habitats.

WINNER Roger Polson lives and works at Knock, Near Huntly. His farm is a 432 hectare mixed farm with a detailed conservation plan drawn up in 1992. Over the last 10 years, Roger has created, among other things, 3.5 kilometres of mixed native hedges, mixed species woodland, two wetlands, a large pond and has also discovered and protected two archaeological sites including a small bronze age stone circle. Roger intends to continue developing walking tracks and to develop a further pond.

RUNNER-UP Shaun McDonald runs Conan Brae Farms near Dingwall with his brother. Since 1999 he has created hedges, dykes, wetland, forestry and beetlebanks and the farms play host to Golden Eagles and Red Kites, among other birds. Shaun has also restored part of the River Carron, which stocks grilse and salmon and provides fishing for the public in addition to river walks. Shaun endeavours to maximise habitat improvement throughout the farms.

Stuart Housden, Director, RSPB Scotland, said:

"We were pleased to sponsor once more the Farmland Biodiversity Award. The award is made to the farmer or crofter who has taken that extra step and made significant effort to benefit and successfully integrate conservation into their overall agricultural activities. All short-listed applicants were good examples of what can be achieved. The range of applications clearly illustrates the diversity and richness of Scottish wildlife and the crucial role that Scottish farmers and crofters can play in protecting and enhancing this to everyone's benefit. From a very high quality list of applicants Roger and Shaun were very worthy winner and runner-up. We look forward with great interest to next year's applications."

Roger Polson, winner of the NFUS Farmland Biodiversity Award, said:

"It is a great honour to be accepting this award. I thoroughly enjoy what I do so it is great to win an award for doing something that gives me pleasure. I like to do as much as I can to help the sustainability of Scotland's species by employing a holistic approach to farming and conservation and I am also keen to aid public access to the countryside so that people can learn more about wildlife."

John Kinnaird, NFUS President, said:

"Every single entry we received for this competition was testament to the high standards of conservation within the farming industry as a whole, and the judging process was not an easy one.

"Each entrant thoroughly deserves to be congratulated and recognised for their hard work and commitment. Both Roger and Shaun can, in particular, be credited with helping to sustain the huge variety of bird species living within Scotland's farmland."