MSP's green scheme makes awards shortlist

MSP Kate Forbes has drawn the short straw in being crowned a green queen.

Ms Forbes’ Final Straw campaign drew widespread praise and backing from environmentalists after the MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch called on the Scottish and UK governments to crack down on the use of straws.

She said Scots could be throwing away nearly three billion straws every year, based on US estimates of people using an average of 1.6 straws per day.

Now Ms Forbes ( above right) has been shortlisted as political advocate of the year in RSPB Scotland’s Nature of Scotland Awards.

She is up against fellow MSPs Lewis McDonald and Mairi Gougeon as well as raptor conservationist Dr Ruth Tingay and ecologist Dr Tom Dargie, who is regarded as one of Scotland’s most experienced dune and machair scientists.

This year there were a record number of nominations across nine categories.

A black-tie presentation dinner to announce the winners will take place on November 22 with hosts TV presenters Kate Humble and Euan McIlwraith.

For more information on the Nature of Scotland Awards visit: http://www.rspb.org.uk/natureofscotland