Directory of Nature Charities in Orkney
Explore our directory of nature charities and environmental organisations working across Orkney, including wildlife charities, conservation partnerships, specialist species groups, environmental organisations and community-led initiatives. The Orkney Islands support internationally important seabird colonies, wetlands, coastal habitats, farmland and grasslands, as well as unique wildlife such as the Orkney vole. Conservation work across the islands includes habitat restoration, species recovery, marine and coastal conservation, woodland management, wildlife recording and protection of rare species. Whether you are looking to support an Orkney conservation charity, volunteer with a wildlife project or discover organisations working to protect Orkney’s natural environment, this directory provides a useful starting point.
Nature Charities in Orkney
Including registered charities, CICs, coalitions, alliances, and related organisations.
A major partnership between RSPB Scotland, NatureScot and Orkney Islands Council working to protect Orkney’s native wildlife from invasive stoats. The project combines large-scale stoat eradication with wildlife monitoring, community engagement and education to safeguard species including the Orkney vole and ground-nesting birds.
The RSPB has a particularly strong conservation presence across Orkney, managing a large network of nature reserves including Brodgar, Birsay Moors, Hobbister, Hoy, Onziebust, Trumland, Cottascarth and Rendall Moss, and Noup Cliffs. Its work covers wetland, peatland, coastal and farmland habitats, as well as seabird and ground-nesting bird conservation.
The Scottish Wildlife Trust has a direct conservation presence in Orkney through Hill of White Hamars Wildlife Reserve, protecting internationally important coastal cliffs and associated habitats. The Trust has also undertaken marine conservation and community engagement work in Orkney through its Living Seas programme.
A long-established local charity founded in 1959 to encourage the study and conservation of Orkney’s natural and cultural heritage. Its members record and study flora and fauna, organise field activities and contribute specialist knowledge to local biodiversity work.
An active Orkney environmental charity supporting community-led projects that improve the local environment. Its work includes regular beach cleans, marine litter research, waste reduction, environmental education and initiatives supporting local nature.
A long-running local initiative promoting the creation, conservation and sustainable management of woodland in Orkney. It provides advice on tree planting and woodland management and works with communities, schools and landowners to expand native woodland suitable for Orkney’s challenging conditions.
A partnership involving Orkney Islands Council, NatureScot, RSPB Scotland, Scottish Forestry, Woodland Trust Scotland, Orkney Field Club and the Orkney Woodland Project. It promotes the conservation and expansion of woodland habitats while encouraging community involvement, skills development and better management of existing trees and woods.
A major multi-organisation conservation programme working across Orkney to improve the fortunes of nine rare and vulnerable species. Its local team delivers habitat restoration, species surveys, conservation grazing, advice for land managers, volunteer activities and community engagement.
Butterfly Conservation’s Highlands & Islands Branch covers Orkney as well as Highland, Moray, Shetland and the Outer Hebrides. The branch supports butterfly and moth recording, surveys, conservation activities, field trips and local work to improve habitats for threatened species.
A voluntary group maintaining a central database of wildlife records for Orkney and encouraging people to record and share observations of the islands’ wildlife. Its information helps build knowledge of local species and biodiversity and supports wildlife recording across the county.
The Bumblebee Conservation Trust has a particularly strong current connection with Orkney through its work to protect the Great Yellow Bumblebee, one of Britain’s rarest bumblebees. Orkney is one of the species’ remaining strongholds, and the Trust works with land managers and partners on habitat management and monitoring.
Buglife has a significant Orkney role through Species on the Edge, particularly conservation work for the endangered plantain leaf beetle and other invertebrates. The charity contributes specialist expertise in invertebrate conservation, habitat restoration and species monitoring on the islands.
The Bat Conservation Trust is involved in Orkney through Species on the Edge, with the common pipistrelle among the programme’s target species. The organisation supports bat monitoring, recording, conservation advice and public participation in bat surveys across the islands.