Supporters Day – Action for Nature 2023 – A Day of Inspiration
Emma Bartlet reflects on 2023's Supporter's Day; a day of recognising those who go above and beyond for nature and their community all year round.
Action for Nature Awards 2023; Tom Burditt, CEO of Lancashire Wildlife Trusts presents
The day kicked off with a keynote speech by the CEO of all the Wildlife Trusts, Craig Bennett. He carefully set out why the next year will be so very important for nature in the UK. He thanked every member and volunteer in the whole of the Wildlife Federation for their contribution and explained why we need more people to care about nature to help make positive change occur.
Poppy Power; Trustees
Everyone attended a range of workshops on exciting topics including “Living the Soggy Life at Lunt Meadows” where people heard about what it’s like to work on a reserve that now delivers an amazing natural solution to climate change and “Marine Conservation and Wellbeing” which informed people about “The Bay Nature and Wellbeing Programme” and how to delve into nature to improve wellbeing. Others made beautiful, money saving decorations using hedgerow twigs and learned how to make natural prints. The feedback from the day has been really positive so far!
The day ended with a truly inspiring talk by Louise Bentley from Bolton and Bury Swifts that told how she has dedicated her time to help swifts in her home town.
The Action for Nature Awards were then presented. These new awards acknowledge the achievements of people doing extraordinary things to help nature.
We want to thank everyone who came along. It was so wonderful to share stories, meet new volunteers and come together for a day full of conversations on hope and nature. Hopefully everyone went home feeling inspired to do even more to help nature and encourage more people to do the same.
|
AWARD |
AWARD WINNER |
|
Unsung Hero |
Shaun Garrigan (Nature and Wellbeing volunteer) |
|
Young Person of the Year |
Euan Norman (Youth Council member) |
|
Most Inspirational Volunteer of the Year |
Ann Shaw & Francis Williams (Wednesday Wildlife Volunteers) |
|
Volunteer Group of the Year |
The Hive Mud Pack |
|
Conservation Achievement of the Year |
Louise Bentley - Bolton and Bury Swifts |
|
Learning Through Nature Award |
Weeton Primary School |
|
Business Nature Champion of the Year |
Standby Productions |
|
Nature Champion Community Group (Rural) |
Hermitage Field Community Meadow |
|
Nature Champion Community Group (Urban) |
Friends of Tawd Valley Group |
|
Climate and Nature Champion of the Year |
Josh Styles |
Shaun Garrigan, Unsung Hero Award
Photo by Alan Wright
Young Person of the year award; Euan Norman
Most inspirational Volunteer of the Year award; Ann Shaw and Francis Williams
Volunteer Group of the Year ; The Hive at Moss Bank Park Mudpack Group.
Nick Whittacker and Jane Arkwright
Conservation Achievement of the year- Bolton and Bury Swifts; Louise Bentley
Business Nature Champion of the Year; Standby productions
Nature Champion Community Group (Rural); Hermitage Field Community Meadow
Nature Champion Community Group (Urban); Friends of Tawd Valley
Climate and Nature Champion of the Year; Josh Styles
"Both my workshops were well presented and interesting so a big thank you to all! I also found the swift lady inspiring. Overall a very enjoyable day!"
- Attendee