Scotland’s ‘Tree Oscars’ are open for nominations once again after last year’s awards saw an Ayrshire winner in one of the six categories.

The first Climate Change Champion prize was handed out at the 2021 awards, with Andrew Sinclair honoured for his work at Balbeg Estate’s Bennan Hill near Straiton.

Professor Chris Quine, chief scientist at Forest Research, led the team assessing the entries, and said the Estate “demonstrated an integrated approach to tackling climate change throughout its activities with actions relating to mitigation, adaptation and knowledge exchange” and “a strong commitment and a real consistency of vision”.

The award was handed out just two months before COP26, where a Leaders’ Declaration on Forestry and Land Use was signed.

Angela Douglas, executive director of Scotland’s Finest Woods, the charity which runs the awards, said: “The world is increasingly understanding that trees and wood are vital to tackling climate change and I’m so delighted that our Climate Change Champion Award is back.”

The awards have the backing of the Scottish Government, with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announcing the schools and early years awards and environment minister Máiri McAllan – whose brief covers forestry – revealing winners of the 2021 edition.

Ms McAllan said: “I was delighted to be involved in Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards for the first time in 2021, and to celebrate an amazing collection of winners.

“The addition of the Climate Change Champion and Early Years Awards in 2021 illustrated the importance of woodland in supporting Scotland’s world-leading climate change ambitions – and engaging young people in trees and woods at a young age. All the winners were clearly passionate about high-quality woodlands, and I look forward to another year of exceptional entries to celebrate this new golden era of forestry in Scotland.”

The categories are: Climate Change Champion; Community Woodlands; Farm Woodland; New Native Woods; Quality Timber; and Schools and Early Years. Entries must be submitted by March 31. For full details and entry forms see sfwa.co.uk.