Recognition for dedicated conservationists
Cadbury medals
awarded
Two individuals who have made an
outstanding contribution to nature conservation have each received
a prestigious award from The Wildlife Trusts.
An
inspirational and tireless campaigner Ron Hill, former Chair of
Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, is the recipient of the 2011
Christopher Cadbury medal. Passionate and committed
conservationist Brendan Joyce, Chief Executive of Norfolk Wildlife
Trust, is awarded the staff medal, presented every three years.
The medals were presented by The Wildlife
Trusts' Vice Presidents, Professor Chris Baines, one of the UK's
leading independent environmentalists, and broadcaster and
naturalist Nick Baker, respectively. The ceremony took place
at The Wildlife Trusts' Annual General Meeting in Grantham on
Wednesday 23 November.
Stephanie Hilborne OBE, Chief Executive of
The Wildlife Trusts, said:
"Dedicated and passionate individuals
are the lifeblood of The Wildlife Trusts today, as they were a
century ago when the movement was founded by naturalist and banker
Charles Rothschild. The people and wildlife of Warwickshire
and Norfolk have much to thank Ron and Brendan for. As do we
all."
Ron Hill - Annual
medal
Ron has played an active role within
Warwickshire Wildlife Trust for more than a quarter of a century.
He was Chair from 1989 - 1992 and was instrumental in establishing
many of its reserves, such as the broadleaved woodlands at Clowes
Wood and New Fallings Coppice. He campaigned tirelessly to prevent
the destruction of the last species-rich meadow in Shirley.
Although part of the site was developed, the remainder was
designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Ron's role
in the Nature Reserves Working Group continues today.
People engagement is another of Ron's
strengths. As well as running public events and talks, he has
transformed the Parkridge Centre, situated in a public park close
to central Solihull. The regular volunteer days he organises
have resulted in a wildlife garden, geology trail and bird feeding
stations. These features offer multiple opportunities for local
people to engage with nature in an urban environment. Ron
also designed and built his own footpath ramp for the centre. This
increase in accessibility encourages regular visits from a wide
range of people.
Stephen Trotter, Chief Executive at
Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, said:
"Ron is an inspiration to us
all. Over a period of more than 30 years he has
enthusiastically and passionately worked as a volunteer on behalf
of Warwickshire's wildlife and wild places. This award
recognises his achievements and I would like to add all of our
thanks to Ron for the enormous contribution he has made over the
years. This is a very well deserved award and we're delighted for
him."
Brendan Joyce - Staff
medal
Brendan's role as Chief Executive of
Norfolk Wildlife Trust (NWT) began in 1995. He has overseen
the expansion and restoration of some of Norfolk's most iconic
landscapes. In the Broads, NWT is creating 3,000 hectares of
floodplain grazing marsh and fen for wildlife, following land
acquisitions adjacent to its Upton Broad nature reserve.
Under Brendan's guidance its Gaywood Valley Living Landscape
scheme has also led to major progress to restore lowland heathland
- a rare and threatened habitat.
One of the most significant developments
for Norfolk Wildlife Trust, under Brendan's leadership, has been
the opening of the award-winning visitor centre at Cley Marshes
nature reserve. With its unrivalled panoramic views of the
marshes, it attracts 100,000 visitors a year.
Brendan was nominated by his Chair Tim
Cawkwell, who praised his boundless commitment to and passion for,
the conservation of Norfolk's wildlife. Tim said:
"When Brendan came to Norfolk in 1995,
the Trust was already a well-established and effective
organisation. Since then he has overseen a major expansion in the
numbers of staff engaged in nature conservation, in the scope of
the Trust's educational work, in the number of Trust members, and
above all, in the area of Norfolk owned and managed for nature
conservation."
Brendan said:
"I am deeply honoured to be given this
award, which I accept not just for me, but for all the staff and
volunteers of Norfolk Wildlife Trust who have achieved so much for
wildlife conservation and education in Norfolk. There remains much
to do in working towards our goal of creating a Living Landscape
for Norfolk, but one of the biggest rewards is seeing the tangible
progress we have been making."
-Ends-
Contact information:
Tanya Perdikou (Media & Campaigns
Officer)
Office: 01636 670057
Mobile: 07887 754657
Email: tperdikou@wildlifetrusts.org
Images are available for use with this news
release. They are granted on a one-time use basis, in
association with this release and the photographer must be
credited.
Notes for editors:
The Wildlife Trusts (TWT) wildlifetrusts.org
There are 47 individual Wildlife Trusts
covering the whole of the UK. All are working for an
environment rich in wildlife for everyone. We have more than
800,000 members including 150,000 members of our junior branch Wildlife
Watch. Our vision is to create A Living Landscape and secure Living Seas. We manage around 2,300 nature
reserves and every year we advise thousands of landowners and
organisations on how to manage their land for wildlife. We also run
marine conservation projects around the UK, collecting vital data
on the state of our seas and celebrating our amazing marine
wildlife. Every year we work with thousands of schools and our
nature reserves and visitor centres receive millions of
visitors. Each Wildlife Trust is working within its local
communities to inspire people about the future of their area: their
own Living Landscapes and Living Seas.
The Christopher Cadbury Medal for services
to nature conservation was instituted in recognition of the
outstanding contribution to this work and to the Royal Society for
Wildlife Trusts by the late Mr J Christopher Cadbury CBE MA
(President 1962-1968). Past winners include Thomas William
Cain CBE and Harry Green.