Cumbrian wildlife heroes honoured with awards

Wildlife heroes from across Cumbria have been rewarded for their efforts by Cumbria Wildlife Trust.

The nature conservation charity presented the volunteers with Gold Badger’s Paw Awards in recognition for their dedication and commitment to Cumbria’s wildlife.

The awards were given out at two volunteers and members’ gatherings, one held at Kendal Parish Hall and the other at Newbiggin Village Hall.

Ruth Alcroft, volunteering coordinator at Cumbria Wildlife Trust, said: “Once again, it’s a privilege for me to publicly thank our volunteers and show how much we appreciate them.

“From important behind the scenes office roles to running our local support groups, and helping to restore our hay meadows and peatlands – our volunteers take on a huge variety of key roles, often outdoors in all sorts of weather!

“Every single volunteer makes a huge difference and supports our goals of helping nature to recover, and inspiring and encouraging people to access nature.

“Thank you to each and every one of you, and in particular, huge congratulations to this year’s Gold Badger’s Paw winners, for their many years of commitment and support for Cumbria’s very special wildlife and wild places.”

The Gold Badgers Paw award-winners were congratulated by David Sharrod, chair of trustees and Graham Jackson-Pitt, director of nature recovery at Cumbria Wildlife Trust, who presented this year’s awards.

2026 Gold Badger’s Paw winners

South Cumbria

Jane Binney (Carnforth) for her outstanding contribution to the conservation of wildlife in Cumbria, in particular through her dedication to Cumbria Wildlife Trust’s Kirkby Lonsdale Local Support Group.

Ruth Alcroft, Volunteering Coordinator at Cumbria Wildlife Trust said: “It’s obvious from talking to Jane that her love of nature has always been part of her life. What really stands out about Jane’s award is not just how much time she’s given to nature and wildlife but also the years of work she’s put into helping others take action.”

Jane joined the Kirkby Lonsdale Local Support Group in the late 1990s where she met Liz and Roger Neale. Their work included foraging and orchid-hunting but Jane describes it simply as “about having fun”.

Ruth said: “However, the key to making things happen is showing up, and doing what needs to be done, whether that’s making the coffee or doing the washing up (another job Jane says she often did): contributions such as these are vital in making things happen.” 

Rick Browne (Broughton-in-Furness) for his dedication to the wildlife and water of the Duddon Valley and surrounding areas.

An active committee member of Cumbria Wildlife Trust’s Duddon Local Support Group, for 30 years Rick has worked tirelessly to help protect the fragile red squirrel population in and around the Duddon Valley.

Thanks largely to his continuing efforts – including recruiting a growing network of volunteers – there has recently been a number of red squirrel sightings in new areas and in places from where they had disappeared.

Additionally, in recent years Rick has become a champion of Lowick Common Nature Reserve, carrying out bracken management, installing refugia and tackling Himalayan balsam.

Rick is also involved in monitoring and improving the water quality of the River Duddon and managing the river bank environment for wildlife.

David Harpley (Kendal), former Director of Nature Recovery at Cumbria Wildlife Trust, for his lifetime’s work supporting nature and wild spaces.

David started overseeing Cumbria Wildlife Trust’s conservation work in 1994, as conservation manager. Otters, badgers and ospreys all came back to Cumbria while David was in charge.

Peatlands are his passion. He had the foresight to buy and oversee the restoration of Foulshaw Moss Nature Reserve – after 15 years of restoration, this became Cumbria Wildlife Trust’s most visited nature reserve. 

David recalls some wildlife highlights during his 31 years with Cumbria Wildlife Trust: “Seeing a hen harrier at Foulshaw Moss Nature Reserve, the sheer abundance of flowers at Latterbarrow and Smardale nature reserves, huge numbers of waders at South Walney and Foulney Island, plus otters under the pier at Ambleside.”

David retired in 2025 and is still a regular volunteer at Foulshaw Moss Nature Reserve.

Helen Wall (Barrow) for her dedication to promoting nature and wildlife in her community.

A former councillor for Walney and former mayor of Barrow, Helen has championed local wildlife for many years, supporting local organisations in particular through her time as mayor.

Helen established the Wildlife and Heritage Committee for Barrow in Furness and continues to advocate and be involved in the local community.

Ruth Alcroft, volunteering coordinator at Cumbria Wildlife Trust, described Helen as: “A fantastic nominee for a Badger’s Paw Award, having championed wildlife and heritage in Barrow for many years.

“She’s always been the go-to person and the key advocate for wildlife and culture-based projects and initiatives in Barrow. Helen is passionate, caring strongly about wildlife, and continues to be a strong advocate and leader for wildlife and heritage in Barrow today.”

North Cumbria

Guy Broome (Carlisle) for his work in moth trapping, identification and supporting education in projects across the county.

Guy has been with Cumbria Wildlife Trust since volunteering at Eycott Hill Nature Reserve in 2018 and has been consistently involved since then, helping to run sessions for the Pollinators team, Young Volunteers and many others.

Keziah Carr, assistant reserves officer (South) at Cumbria Wildlife Trust, said: “With Guy about at moth trapping at Foulshaw Moss Nature Reserve, you don’t even notice the midges, you’re probably too busy being in awe of his identification skills or laughing at his jokes!”

Judith Edwards (Penrith) for her voluntary work in surveying the grasslands of Cumbria.

Judith has been a surveying volunteer since 2013, beginning with Cumbria Wildlife Trust’s Meadow Life project, and continuing as a grassland surveyor on the Meadow Life 2, Meadow Maker and Grasslands projects.

Anne Mack (Carlisle) for her voluntary work at Gosling Sike, Cumbria Wildlife Trust’s northern base at Houghton, near Carlisle.

Anne volunteered as a plant surveyor and in the Gosling Sike nursery garden. She started volunteering as a Meadow Life surveyor in 2013 and also worked on the Fellfoot Forward project in the North Pennines.

Norman McPhail (Carlisle) for his practical and conservation work in North Cumbria.

Norman began as PR and press monitoring volunteer for Cumbria Wildlife Trust in 2014. He got involved with Eycott Hill Nature Reserve in 2018 and became a woodwork and practical volunteer at Gosling Sike and on conservation days.

He was particularly active in the early days of Gosling Sike, when Cumbria Wildlife Trust was establishing its northern base in Houghton.

Angela Ritchie (Carlisle) for her work in supporting the development of Gosling Sike, Cumbria Wildlife Trust’s northern base in Houghton.

Angela has been a regular garden volunteer and support worker, and became involved with Gosling Sike in its very early stages, helping to dig out the now well-established pond and laying some of the earliest plants that became the foundation for the community gardens.

Helen Roberts (Carlisle) for her dedication to the wildlife garden at Gosling Sike and the local Wildlife Watch group.

Helen was originally an Admin and Office volunteer at Gosling Sike, as well as a garden volunteer, and has been a Wildlife Watch leader since 2022. This group works with young people to inspire the next generation of nature lovers.