The winners of Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust’s first Wilder Annual Awards have been announced.
The awards were presented to individuals and groups in eight award categories. These covered a wide variety of environmental topics, from the Brough Naturalist Award that supports naturalists with their studies of the local wildlife around us, to the Champion and Leader of the Year Award, which celebrates the work of individuals who are inspiring their communities.
Mary Parker, winner of Outstanding Contribution Award has been volunteering with the trust for almost 20 years. Her roles have ranged from being the Trust’s treasurer to helping pull Himalayan balsam. She said: “Volunteering with the trust is so rewarding. Doing something useful in wonderful places, with friendly people — helping the wildlife of Hampshire. It’s a great movement to be involved in.”
Natalie Harris, winner of this year’s Norman Pasley Award for Campaigner of the Year, runs a campaign called ‘Clean our Seas’. She said: “I love protecting the wildlife along our coastlines through my Clean Our Seas campaign and moments like this really encourage me to do all I can.”
Friends of Peartree Green, from Southampton, were the winners of the Group of the Year Award. Jill Doubleday, from the group, said: “We are thrilled to receive this award in recognition of the work the group has done, and continues to do, to enhance Peartree Green local nature reserve.”
Other winners were: Dr Deborah Harvey (Brough Naturalist Award), Southern Co-op (Business of the Year), St Alban’s Primary School (School of the Year), Ben Constable and Mathilde Chanvin (Champions and Leaders of the Year), and Ian Boyd (Wild Card).w
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