A nature-inspired website redesign for Scottish Invasive
Species Initiative

The Scottish Invasive Species Initiative (SISI) is a partnership project working with local organisations and volunteers to control invasive non-native species along rivers in Scotland. Led by NatureScot and supported by the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund, SISI empowers communities to tackle invasive non-native species that threaten biodiversity, public health and the rural economy.

SISI was looking for a full website redevelopment of its existing site and chose Zudu as its partner to deliver a bold, user-focused platform that drives community engagement, boosts visibility and supports its mission through strategic design and purposeful tech.

The challenge

SISI’s existing website had become outdated – both technically and visually. With increasing demand for a mobile-friendly platform, more robust data reporting and improved tools to engage volunteers, it was clear the site needed a complete overhaul to better support their goals.

The project required a platform that could support a wide range of users: from school pupils and students to local landowners, outdoor enthusiasts and volunteers. It also needed to be accessible to users of all ages and abilities – including those in remote, rural areas with limited connectivity.

Our goal was to deliver a new digital platform that would:

Act as a central hub for project news, updates and resources

Inspire more people to engage with and volunteer for the initiative

Improve usability across mobile, tablet and desktop devices

Support real-time species reporting and biosecurity education

Remain relevant and maintainable beyond the current funding period (ending 2026)

Technologies

Our approach

Accessibility first

Accessibility was at the core of this project, guiding every stage from development to design. The new SISI website is fully compliant with WCAG 2.2 AA standards, ensuring it meets the legal requirements for public sector websites and, more importantly, is inclusive and usable for all.

Recognising that many users access the site from rural locations or in the field – often on mobile devices – we optimised the platform for a range of screen sizes and lower bandwidths. This means volunteers spotting mink on the riverbank or teachers accessing education materials in the classroom experience the same smooth, intuitive journey.

Empowering the community

One of SISI’s main goals for the new site was to strengthen community engagement. We built a feature-rich, flexible platform to make it easy for people to connect, share knowledge and take action together.

Visitors can now report mink and invasive plant sightings directly through the platform and find out how they can get involved in their area through interactive maps, making it easier than ever to contribute to conservation efforts. Volunteer sign-up and event listings are fully integrated with the CERVIS system, helping SISI manage participation more efficiently. The site also hosts a range of downloadable resources, from factsheets to practical guidance and a blog and news section to keep users informed.

A design inspired by nature

Inspired by Scotland’s diverse ecosystems, we crafted a design language that feels vibrant, authentic and connected to the project at its core. The visual identity of the new SISI website draws directly from the landscapes, wildlife and conservation efforts that sit at the heart of the initiative. Colour palettes selected from natural elements, such as mossy greens, river blues and earthy tones evoke the environments volunteers and project staff work in every day.

We evolved the existing SISI brand to feel more modern and flexible, while preserving its recognisable identity. This balance ensures continuity for returning users while signaling progress and innovation to new audiences.

Built for longevity and ease

To ensure long-term sustainability, we made it simple for the SISI team to create, schedule and update content without technical support. The content management system puts full control in their hands, allowing for easy management of menus and shared content blocks to keep the user journey smooth – even as content evolves. We also provided detailed documentation and training to support staff in managing the site confidently and independently.

Colours

Lime Green

HEX: #83BF4F

RGB: 131, 191, 79

Bright Blue

HEX: #3175B8

RGB: 49, 117, 184, 1

Earthy Brown

HEX: #6B4620

RGB: 107, 70, 32, 1

Orange Ochre

HEX: #DA7C20

RGB: 218, 124, 32, 1

Golden Yellow

HEX: #FFBF02

RGB: 255, 191, 2

Warm Beige

HEX: #A7937B

RGB: 167, 147, 123

The results

Initial feedback of the new site has been overwhelmingly positive. With growing engagement from volunteers and the wider public, the platform now acts as a vibrant hub for community engagement, species data and environmental education – and will continue to serve as a lasting digital legacy of the project’s impact.

45%

increase in active users

1.4k

new users in the first two weeks post-launch

50%

Increase in engaged sessions

“We found Zudu very responsive to our needs. We felt comfortable in raising queries and content that their team would always seek to resolve issues quickly with and for us. We enjoyed working with all of their team.”

– Callum Sinclair, Project Manager at Scottish Invasive Species Initiative

Other Works

Corporate Digital Transformation Market Acceleration - 30 May 2024

Digital Transformation Health & Wellbeing Market Acceleration - 27 April 2023

Digital Transformation Health & Wellbeing - 20 October 2022

Corporate Digital Transformation Market Acceleration - 30 September 2022

Do you have a project in mind?
Let’s get to work.

Start Your Journey

A nature-inspired website redesign for Scottish Invasive Species Initiative