MEMBERS of the Innerleithen Scouts are flying high as they have been nominated in the National Youth Work Awards 2020.

The young people were selected for the award after their work, in partnership with the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project, to develop the first Golden Eagle Champion Award.

Thanks to their hard work, the Scouts were nominated in the Environment and Conservation category of the NYW Awards.

Chris Kennedy, a volunteer from Innerleithen Scout Group, said: “We’re excited that our amazing ‘Golden Eagle Champions’ have been shortlisted for a Youthlink Scotland Award.

"Wildlife experts at the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project worked closely with our volunteers to develop a fun and adventurous activity programme.

"Our project proved to be such a success, that hundreds more Scouts across the Scottish Borders and Dumfries and Galloway are about to learn about Golden Eagle conservation and wider raptor protection.

"That kind of legacy makes us all very proud.”

In order to achieve Golden Eagle Award, the young people spent time learning about the raptors, how to build eyries, and even had the opportunity to meet a golden eagle - understanding more about the conservation work that is done to protect the birds of prey.

As part of the development, one of the Innerleithen Scouts members designed a badge for fellow Scouts to earn with the award.

The success of the Golden Eagle Champions has been greatly supported by other environmental activists, including Scout Ambassador, and presenter, Steve Backshall.

And in May 2019, the Innerleithen Scouts featured on BBC's Landward, highlighting the Borders project.

Philip Munro, Community Outreach Officer for the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project added: “We are absolutely delighted to hear that the Innerleithen Scout Group has been shortlisted for a Youthlink Scotland Award.

"It is very well deserved - it was fantastic to work with this inspiring group on the UK’s first ever Golden Eagle Champions initiative.

"The future of conservation depends on initiatives like this that encourage young people to get involved and make a difference. Their support makes a huge contribution to helping to safeguard the future of iconic species like the Golden Eagle in the south of Scotland and beyond.”

The South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project was created to help encourage more pairs of eagles to thrive in the Borders and Dumfries regions, and has worked with RSPB Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage and Southern Uplands Partnership.

For more information about the Innerleithen Scout Group, visit www.borderscouts.org.uk/innerleithen and to learn more about Golden eagle conservation in the Borders, visit www.goldeneaglessouthofscotland.co.uk