A young people’s charity has been “highly commended” for their fight to protect Scotland’s seas by the RSPB’s prestigious Nature of Scotland Awards in the Youth Action category.

The annual awards event recognises individuals and organisations making a difference in communities, schools and businesses to support Scotland’s wildlife and natural environment. This year’s nominations for the Youth Action category highlighted a growing movement to put young people’s voices front and centre of the twin biodiversity and climate crises.

Young Sea Changers Scotland (YSCS), which launched at the beginning of 2024, aims to train the next generation of ocean activists. As the runner up in the Youth Action category, the RSPB’s commendation recognised the vital work of YSCS empowering the next generation of ocean advocates since their launch less than a year ago. Their marine advocacy programme, Turning the Tide, garnered particular recognition for its bespoke training course, which offers a select cohort of 15 young people from across Scotland the opportunity to work closely with the YSCS team and experts in the marine field to empower them to speak up for the seas.

Megan Hamill, Turning the Tide 2024 graduate, age 23, Isle of Arran, says: “The Turning the Tide programme massively boosted my confidence, giving me the skills and knowledge to engage with marine issues on a local and national level.”

Sophie Plant, Project Coordinator for Young Sea Changers Scotland, says: “Young people in Scotland not only care deeply about the future of our seas, but are prepared to step up and take action to ensure our seas aren’t empty within their lifetimes. It’s wonderful that the Nature of Scotland’s Youth Action Award has recognised the amazing commitment of our young members to fight for their futures.”