The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland is celebrating a double win at the Scottish Thistle Awards after picking up two national honours for its work in conservation, sustainability and visitor experience.
Staff from Edinburgh Zoo collected the Climate Action Award in recognition of the charity’s pledge to cut its carbon footprint by sixty per cent by twenty thirty and for the practical work already underway to meet that goal.
The zoo has installed the largest zoo based solar meadow anywhere in the UK and is using sustainable design principles when creating new habitats as well as delivering community programmes that aim to make nature more inclusive and accessible to everyone.
Highland Wildlife Park was named Best Visitor Attraction following the opening of the seven point six million pound Scotland’s Wildlife Discovery Centre, a major redevelopment which has transformed the park’s facilities and expanded its education and engagement work.
The new buildings include a redeveloped shop and cafe along with an interactive exhibition centre, a hilltop den and a flexible events space designed for schools and community groups.
Both projects reflect the charity’s commitment to conservation and education and arrive at a time when interest in wildlife protection and responsible tourism continues to grow across Scotland.
RZSS said the awards are a welcome recognition of the work carried out by staff at both sites and of the charity’s long term commitment to protecting wildlife in Scotland and around the world.
