Directory of Nature Charities in Western Isles
Explore our directory of nature charities and environmental organisations working across the Western Isles (Outer Hebrides), including wildlife charities, conservation organisations, marine and freshwater groups, biological recording projects and community-led environmental initiatives. From the machair, dunes and Atlantic coastline to the extensive peatlands, lochs, rivers and crofting landscapes of Lewis, Harris, Uist, Barra and the smaller islands, the Western Isles support an exceptional range of wildlife and habitats. The organisations featured here work on species conservation, habitat restoration, peatland recovery, marine and coastal protection, freshwater conservation, wildlife recording, environmental education and community-led nature projects. Whether you are looking to support a local conservation organisation, volunteer with a wildlife project or discover groups helping to protect the natural environment of the Western Isles, this directory provides a useful starting point.
Nature Charities in Western Isles
Including registered charities, CICs, coalitions, alliances, and related organisations.
The RSPB has a substantial conservation presence throughout the Outer Hebrides, including Balranald Nature Reserve on North Uist and other important sites. Its work includes protecting machair and wetland habitats, supporting crofting practices that benefit wildlife, and conserving threatened birds including corncrakes and red-necked phalaropes.
The National Trust for Scotland owns and manages the St Kilda archipelago, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Europe’s most important seabird breeding areas. Conservation work includes seabird monitoring, biosecurity, habitat management and protecting the islands’ exceptional natural heritage.
NatureScot has a major statutory conservation role in the Outer Hebrides, including management and protection of nationally important habitats and species. Its current work includes peatland restoration, invasive species management and nature recovery projects carried out with island communities and conservation partners.
A major partnership programme working across the Outer Hebrides to improve the fortunes of rare and vulnerable coastal and island species. Its work includes habitat restoration, species monitoring, land-management advice, volunteer training and community engagement, with ten priority species including great yellow bumblebee, Irish lady’s-tresses orchid, little tern and red-necked phalarope.
The Bumblebee Conservation Trust leads delivery of the Outer Hebrides Area Plan for Species on the Edge, working with communities and crofters to protect rare bumblebees and other wildlife. Projects include habitat management, monitoring, volunteer training and work to improve machair for species such as the great yellow bumblebee and northern colletes mining bee.
Buglife contributes specialist invertebrate-conservation expertise to the Outer Hebrides through Species on the Edge. Its work includes surveys and habitat management for threatened species such as the short-necked oil beetle and northern colletes mining bee.
Plantlife works in the Outer Hebrides through Species on the Edge to help conserve rare plants and their habitats. Its island work includes protection and monitoring of species such as Irish lady’s-tresses orchid and other plants associated with machair and coastal habitats.
Butterfly Conservation’s Highlands & Islands Branch covers the Outer Hebrides and supports local surveying, recording, field activities and conservation work for butterflies and moths. The islands have a dedicated Outer Hebrides recorder contributing to the long-term study of their Lepidoptera.
The Bat Conservation Trust works in the Outer Hebrides through Species on the Edge, helping improve knowledge and conservation of island bat populations including common pipistrelle. Its work combines monitoring, community participation and advice to support bat conservation.
A marine conservation charity dedicated to protecting whales, dolphins and porpoises and the wider Hebridean marine environment. The Trust undertakes long-term research, boat-based surveys, photo-identification, acoustic monitoring and community science, with extensive work around the Outer Hebrides.
Whale and Dolphin Conservation operates Shorewatch sites in the Outer Hebrides, training volunteers to carry out standardised surveys of whales, dolphins and porpoises. Long-term observations from locations including Lewis contribute to marine research and conservation.
A registered charity undertaking scientific research and monitoring of freshwater ecosystems and wild fish stocks throughout the Outer Hebrides. It works across more than 80 catchments and 30 fisheries, with activities including habitat surveys, fisheries management, biosecurity, salmon conservation and environmental education.
The island-wide biological recording organisation maintaining a major database of wildlife records for the Outer Hebrides, including St Kilda and the outlying islands. It promotes recording of plants, animals and fungi and makes biodiversity information available to support research and conservation.
A natural history society encouraging the study, recording and enjoyment of wildlife across the Outer Hebrides. Its members contribute to wildlife surveys and recording, while the society publishes The Hebridean Naturalist, covering the islands’ flora, fauna and wider natural history.
An environmental charity working across the islands to reduce coastal pollution and protect the marine environment. Its activities include beach cleans, community and school education, environmental campaigning and work to reduce single-use plastics.
A community-focused CIC leading collaborative climate action across the Outer Hebrides. Its work covers climate adaptation and mitigation, community engagement, sustainability projects and initiatives addressing issues such as coastal change, resilience and the environmental impacts of climate change.
A community-owned estate managing approximately 25,900 hectares of North Harris, with conservation forming a significant part of its land-management programme. Its work includes native woodland restoration, deer and invasive-species management, biodiversity monitoring and habitat enhancement, including a project to plant 180,000 native trees.
A community-owned charity managing around 56,000 acres of coast, agricultural land and moorland in north-west Lewis. Its environmental work includes sustainable land management, protection of natural heritage and management of important habitats and wildlife around sites such as Loch Stiapabhat.
A community-owned estate charity managing land around Carloway in Lewis with environmental protection and conservation among its charitable objectives. The Trust has supported peatland restoration through the Peatland ACTION programme and takes part in projects aimed at improving the natural environment.
A community charity managing approximately 7,225 hectares of West Harris. Its objectives include conserving and increasing understanding of the area’s natural heritage, alongside community development and environmentally sustainable projects.
A community-owned organisation managing the 93,000-acre South Uist Estate, including South Uist, Eriskay and part of Benbecula. Its land-management responsibilities include crofting, conservation and stewardship of the estate’s natural resources, with Loch Druidibeg among its important natural areas.
A registered charity promoting the environmental wellbeing of North Uist alongside its social and economic work. Its projects include support for Langass Woods and other initiatives intended to improve the island’s environmental and community assets.
A regional organisation supporting the network of community landowners across the Outer Hebrides. It is involved in practical environmental projects, including the Gunnera tinctoria control programme, helping community estates tackle invasive species and restore native habitats.