ENTRIES to this Scotland's 'Tree Oscars' for 2023 are now open, and the Borders will hopefully repeat last year's success.

At the 2022 awards, organised by Scotland's Finest Woods, Priorsford Primary School in Peebles was joint winner of the Schools Award.

Sharing the award with a school in Perthshire, Priorsford was praised for how classes had made the most of learning outdoors over the course of the coronavirus pandemic.

This year, the awards will focus even more on climate change and sustainability.

Jean Nairn, executive director of Scotland’s Finest Woods, said: “This year will see the Climate Change Champion award return as the world looks towards a warming planet and the urgent need to take more action.

"The wonderful efforts across Scotland to use forests and woodlands to mitigate, adapt and educate everyone about the climate crisis will rightly be recognised.

“This encompasses the forestry and farming sectors as well as schools and communities – all of whom play their part in helping Scotland overcome the environmental challenges facing us all.”

The Tree Oscars, which are held at the Royal Highland Show, champion the work being done across Scotland to create, support and conserve forests and woodlands.

Ms Nairn added: “It is important that we continue to appreciate the work done across different sectors to improve our forests and woodlands, which have an incredibly important role to play.

"They allow us to grow timber for construction rather than having to import it, improve farming, enhance landscapes and make space for recreation.

"And the huge bonus is that it also allows biodiversity to increase and helps tackle climate change.”

Scottish Government Environment Minister Máiri McAllan presented last year's awards.

She said: “Scotland is home to some fantastic forests and wonderful woodlands – with equally wonderful people caring for them.

“We enjoy an international reputation for the positive way they are managed and the awards are a great showcase for all the hard work undertaken by woodland managers both large and small.”

Entries to the competitions within the six awards categories can be made through the Scotland's Finest Woods Awards website.

Information on the categories, entry forms and past winners can also be found on the website.

The deadline for entries is 11.59pm on Friday, March 31.