Some of the hardest working volunteers for nature in our region have been recognised for their passion and dedication.

At the Wildlife Trust BCN AGM over the weekend trustees handed out well deserved awards to volunteers who help protect three of our largest reserves Brampton Wood, Nene Wetlands and Old Sulehay, as well as protecting aquatic insects and engaging people in our work.

The Richenda Huxley Award for outstanding contribution to the Trust went to two volunteers, Christine Wedge and Timothy Fryer.

Christine has dedicated 21 years to the Trust’s Bedford Local Group and has been instrumental in inspiring and organising local people to take an active interest in the environment.

Tim Fryer has given his time as volunteer warden at Brampton Wood and as chair of the Huntingdonshire Local Group for 14 years and is known by all for his ability to bring people together with a calm, thoughtful approach

The Oliver Rackham award this year goes to Kevin Rowley. The award recognises an individual who has demonstrated outstanding service to wildlife in our area. Kevin has volunteered for the Trust for more than ten years and in that time has become a recognised expert in freshwater invertebrates, advancing our knowledge and understanding of aquatic beetles and how we protect them on our sites. He volunteers regularly at Pitsford Water nature reserve, carries out surveys and runs training workshops.

The Jon Smith Award recognises volunteers who have gone the extra mile in their work for the Trust and this year was given to a group for the first time, the Old Sulehay Volunteer Group, as well as to an individual, Chris Green. 

The hardworking team of friends who meet up each Friday at Old Sulehay have given the Trust staff there countless hours of their time fixing fences, clearing paths, managing habitat, engaging visitors and monitoring species.

Chris Green has been a warden at Nene Wetlands for many years and regularly volunteers for the Tuesday work parties there, leads guided wildlife walks and completes reptile, mammal and bird surveys across the site.

Hilary Allison, chair of trustees, said: “It is always a great honour to recognise the work of volunteers with our annual awards. 

“Their energy and passion for nature, which they dedicate a large part of their lives to, really is an inspiration to all of us.

“Without volunteers like these our countryside would have fewer birds and butterflies, local communities would have less access to nature and our Trust would genuinely struggle to operate. Myself, the trustees and the staff commend and thank them all.”

To find out more about volunteering for the Wildlife Trust visit our volunteer webpage:

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