Directory of Nature Charities in Scottish Borders
Explore our directory of nature charities and environmental organisations working across the Scottish Borders, including conservation trusts, wildlife groups, river and woodland organisations, specialist species projects and community-led environmental initiatives. The Borders is shaped by the River Tweed and its tributaries, rolling farmland, native woodlands, uplands, peatlands and the Berwickshire coast, supporting a rich variety of wildlife and habitats. The organisations featured here are involved in river restoration, woodland creation, habitat recovery, species conservation, wildlife recording, rewilding, marine conservation and practical community projects. Whether you are looking to support a local conservation charity, volunteer with a wildlife organisation or discover groups working to protect the natural environment of the Scottish Borders, this directory provides a useful starting point.
Nature Charities in Scottish Borders
Including registered charities, CICs, coalitions, alliances, and related organisations.
A long-established environmental charity restoring native woodland and other natural habitats across the Scottish Borders and Southern Uplands. Its work includes ecological restoration, community woodland projects, habitat creation, education and practical conservation.
A registered charity coordinating landscape and catchment-scale conservation across the River Tweed system. It works with landowners, communities and partner organisations on river restoration, tree planting, habitat improvement, natural flood management and better land and water management.
An environmental charity undertaking scientific research, monitoring and practical conservation throughout the Tweed and Eye catchments. Its work focuses on freshwater ecosystems, wild salmon and trout, fish passage, habitat restoration and the wider health of the river system.
A Scottish conservation charity based in the Ettrick Valley, focused on restoring upland species and habitats. It is now the home of the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project and also works on red squirrel conservation, combining species recovery, habitat restoration, research and community engagement.
A volunteer charity protecting red squirrels in the central Scottish Borders. It works with landowners, communities and partner organisations to control the spread of grey squirrels, monitor red squirrel populations and improve habitat for the species.
A community-led conservation group working to protect red squirrels in Tweeddale. It supports monitoring, community engagement, school projects and measures to reduce the threat posed by grey squirrels and squirrelpox.
A Scottish Borders nature-restoration charity working at grassroots level to help communities restore biodiversity. Its activities include microgrants, habitat projects, education and the restoration of Deer Park near Selkirk as a community wildlife site.
A community charity supporting sustainable development and environmental improvement across the Ettrick and Yarrow valleys. It owns Ettrick Marshes, a 52-hectare conservation area involving wetland, woodland and habitat restoration.
A registered charity managing Leadburn Community Woodland between the Pentland and Moorfoot Hills. The group has restored raised bogs, planted native trees, created ponds and developed the woodland as a community nature resource.
A Scottish marine conservation charity managing Scotland’s only voluntary marine reserve, between Eyemouth and St Abbs. It works to conserve coastal biodiversity through habitat monitoring, citizen science, marine education, beach cleans and community engagement.
Butterfly Conservation’s East Scotland Branch covers the Scottish Borders and undertakes surveys, recording and habitat conservation for butterflies and moths. Current Borders work includes dedicated surveys for Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary and Northern Brown Argus.
The Local Environmental Records Centre for south-east and central Scotland, collecting and sharing biodiversity information used in conservation, planning and land management. It has an especially substantial wildlife dataset for the Borders, with around 1.95 million species records reported for the region in March 2026.
The Scottish Wildlife Trust manages a number of important reserves in the Scottish Borders, including Bemersyde Moss, Hare and Dunhog Mosses and other wetland and woodland sites. Its conservation work encompasses habitat management, species protection, monitoring and volunteering.
The Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Central Borders Local Group supports wildlife conservation and appreciation across the central Scottish Borders. The group brings people together through wildlife walks, talks, surveys and other activities, supporting the Trust’s wider work to protect habitats and wildlife in the region.
The National Trust for Scotland owns and manages St Abb’s Head National Nature Reserve, protecting internationally important coastal cliffs, grasslands and seabird habitat. The site provides an important conservation presence for NTS in the Scottish Borders and forms part of the wider Berwickshire coast landscape.
A long-established Peeblesshire organisation promoting interest in natural history, the environment and local heritage through talks, field activities and publications. It continues to run a current programme of natural-world lectures and events.
Friends of the Earth Scotland is a leading environmental campaigning organisation working across Scotland on climate change, biodiversity, pollution, energy and sustainable development. The organisation has an active network of supporters and local groups, including involvement in environmental campaigning in the Scottish Borders.
The Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Berwickshire Group provides a local focus for wildlife conservation and natural history in the Scottish Borders. The group organises wildlife events, talks, surveys and other activities, helping people learn about and support conservation in the Berwickshire area.
Buglife is the UK’s leading organisation dedicated to conserving invertebrates and their habitats. It has worked in the Scottish Borders on projects such as Pollinators Along the Tweed, restoring wildflower-rich habitats and improving conditions for bees, butterflies and other invertebrates across the Tweed landscape.