Twelve people have been recognised for their commitment to Cumbria’s wildlife.
They were given Gold Badger’s Paw awards by Cumbria Wildlife Trust.
The awards were presented at the charity’s recent volunteer gathering, which saw 70 people attend, at Tullie in Carlisle.
Ruth Alcroft, volunteering co-ordinator at Cumbria Wildlife Trust, said: “This is always a very special event for us, and one of my favourite days of the year! It’s a chance for us to publicly thank and show our appreciation for all the fantastic volunteers who do so much for Cumbria’s wildlife.
“We couldn’t carry out the work we do without the ongoing and tireless support from our 700 volunteers, who all deserve huge thanks and appreciation.
“The volunteers who have been nominated for Gold Badger’s Paw awards this year have committed themselves often over many, many years to looking after our local wildlife and helping to encourage people’s access to nature.”
“From office-based roles, wildlife gardening, plug-planting wildflowers and restoring peatlands out on the fells in all weather, to running local support groups and serving tirelessly on committees, there are many different ways to volunteer for wildlife – as you can see, not all of them involve being outdoors!
“This year’s winners have worked across a very wide range of roles, but all of them have played a huge part in nature’s recovery in Cumbria and in inspiring others get involved too. We are so grateful to all of them, and send them many congratulations.”
Gold Badger’s Paw award-winners
- Fran Brockbank, Ulverston was recognised for her long service in habitat surveying and restoration, including most recently, volunteering with the Cumbria Wildlife Trust peatlands team.
- Elaine Essery, Duddon Valley received the award for her tireless and dedicated service to Cumbria Wildlife Trust’s Duddon Local Support Group
- Lynette Gilligan, Duddon Valley Based at Cumbria Wildlife Trust’s Duddon Local Support Group, Lynette has been instrumental in the group for many years, including acting as co-chair and encouraging others to get involved. She began her involvement with Cumbria’s wildlife by monitoring butterflies at Millom Lime Works Nature Reserve and then at Lowick Common Nature Reserve.
- Roger Holme, Ulverston has been a driving force in Cumbria Wildlife Trust’s Ulverston Local Support Group, a passionate local naturalist who has done an amazing amount for wildlife in his patch.
- Graham Hooley, Sedbergh, a passionate advocate for wildlife, was recognised for his long-term commitment serving on Cumbria Wildlife Trust’s Development Committee and Board of Trustees. Appointed to the Board in 2016 as Chair of the Committee, and a Trustee until November 2024, he brought his considerable skills and experience from an academic background in marketing and his research focus on business strategy. As a keen local historian and amateur archaeologist, he has contributed to a wide range of activities and new developments, including the restoration, repair and potential future use of vernacular buildings, especially at Bowber Head Farm Nature Reserve.
- Liz Kingston, Ulverston was acknowledged for her loyal service to Cumbria Wildlife Trust’s Ulverston Local Support Group.
- Julia Allen, Brampton has been involved, particularly with Cumbria Wildlife Trust’s Carlisle-based office at Gosling Sike, for about a decade. She got involved when the wildlife gardens were in an early stage of development, supporting the gardeners, even doing the back-breaking work of creating the pond, getting others involved and turning up week in and week out. She is acknowledged for her dedicated service to wildlife and wildlife gardening, and the positive experience this is providing for those who use the garden.
- Ruth Ansell-Davis, Penrith has been heavily involved with Cumbria Wildlife Trust since 2011. She has taken part in a wide range of conservation projects, from the Ancient Tree project to the Wildlife in Sacred Spaces, and more recently as a grassland surveyor.
- Julie Barrett, Lazonby was recognised for her long-term commitment, serving as Treasurer of Cumbria Wildlife Trust. Initially appointed to the Board of Trustees, in 2017 she became Chair of the Audit and Resources Committee. As Treasurer she steered the finances of Cumbria Wildlife Trust on behalf of the Board and Leadership team. She acted as a mentor to one of the charity’s first new ‘trusteeships’ created for 18-25 year olds, and is a regular volunteer with several other environmental charities locally. A passionate supporter of wildlife in Cumbria and a keen birdwatcher, she will be especially missed by her fellow ‘twitchers’ on the Board. However, Cumbria Wildlife Trust is delighted that she is staying on as an external member of the Audit and Resources Committee and that it will continue to benefit from her skills, experience and expertise in charity finances.
- Eve Borrino, Shap first got involved with Cumbria Wildlife Trust back in the early 2000s in the Roadside Verges project. With botany as her specialist subject, she’s been involved in surveying a number of sites since then and was thanked for her dedicated service.
- Helen Dunning, Penrith has consistently volunteered with Cumbria Wildlife Trust over the last 10 years, surveying and plug-planting in a range of grasslands and hay meadows during this time, including at Bowber Head Farm and Eycott Hill nature reserves. Working with many people in the charity’s grassland team, she has also recently become involved with Cold Springs Community Nature Reserve and is passionate about people having access to nature.
Pete Leeson, who no longer lives in Cumbria, was awarded a Gold Badger’s Paw not for being a volunteer but for spending decades of his working life on the trees and woodlands of the Lake District and Cumbria. He’s been an enthusiastic and inspirational leader in the Lake District, a champion of trees and all things environmental.
Find out more about volunteering opportunities with Cumbria Wildlife Trust at https://www.cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer
