A GROUP of ten people from Malvern were honoured with Wildlife Hero Awards for their contributions to supporting their local environment, writes Ryan Smith.
The second annual event was held at Worcestershire Wildlife Trust headquarters, Lower Smite Farm, in which a total of 37 people, groups, businesses and schools collected an award.
Among the winners were Malvern Bird Group moderator David Cuncliffe, who organises breeding bird surveys every year for the book Birds and Butterflies around the Malverns.
Peter Holmes, editor of the Birds and Butterflies around the Malverns, was honoured for his work as a bird ringer.
Nick and Rebecca Blackman were given their awards for their work with the trust on the Pollinators’ Project which makes their farm more wildlife-friendly for bees and other insects.
Gerry Davis was acknowledged for growing and safeguarding orchids in Malvern Link, to give bees a helping hand.
Tania Charles was praised for her dedication after running a woodland next to the Wildlife Trust’s Knapp and Papermill nature reserve for the last ten years.
There were 37 winners in total. Picture by Wendy Carter. s
Kathy Jackson was named a Wildlife Hero for her garden which boasts bird feeders and wild areas for animals including hedgehogs to roam around in.
Worcestershire bat group member Dave Lee records wildlife for the Worcestershire Biological Records Centre and Ravenshill Wood owners Trevor and Annette Smart were recognised for removing non-native trees to allow native ones to recover.
Trevor was also given a special mention for catching endangered frogs which reside in the wood and carrying them across the road.
The trust’s engagement officer Sadie Carr Simons, who organised the ceremony, said it was fantastic to meet the award winners.
“We’ve met farmers who champion habitats for wildlife as well as volunteers who take care of their local greenspaces and people who monitor their local wildlife and who are inspiring friends, family and their next generation about the wonders of wildlife and our natural world.”
