Eco warriors who have established a nature reserve and planted a community woodland have had their efforts recognised in a major awards ceremony.
Ambleside Conservation Society, made up of University of Cumbria students, was hailed in a prestigious North West Charity Awards ceremony in Manchester.
They were highly commended in the volunteer team of the year section, bringing warm praise for their commitment to improving and promoting biodiversity conservation in central Lakeland.
Dr Volker Deecke, UoC’s associate professor in wildlife conservation, in the Institute of Science, Natural Resources and Outdoor Studies, said it had been a well-deserved honour for passionate young people dedicated to working for the natural world.
He added: “Society members have worked tirelessly establishing a nature reserve on university land in Ambleside. On it they have planted community woodland using saplings donated by the Woodland Trust.
“And they have been the driving force behind the Eco Warrior Schools project, working with primary pupils on sustainability activities, such as growing their own food and exploring their local environment.
“There are about 50 students in the society, mostly studying conservation, but other courses based at our Ambleside campus, such as forestry, outdoor studies and geography, are represented too.
“I am very proud of all of them. The awards’ catchment stretched from the Scottish border to Chester, so this was definitely a big deal!”
UoC conservation students have run the conservation society since the university was founded in 2007.
As well as volunteering, mounting campaigns and organising lectures and events, the group works to make the university ecologically sustainable.
Dr Deecke said it was fantastic to see such worthy efforts recognised in the prestigious award.
