Members of the public honoured for their contribution to charity’s work
Ancient tree verifiers, speakers, photographers and woodland management enthusiasts were among the 13 Woodland Trust volunteers from all over the country who were named this week as the 2009 champions of the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity.
In a special celebration ceremony in Windsor, six of the 13 received their certificates and gifts in recognition of the invaluable contribution that volunteers make across the environment sector.
With recent calculations graphically illustrating the value to the Trust of its enthusiastic and skilled volunteers, the celebration was a welcome opportunity to reflect volunteers’ contribution to the organisation.
The value of the Trust’s 1,000 active registered volunteers has recently been calculated as the equivalent of 63 full time employees – roughly one third of the Trust’s work force.
Nikki Williams, Trust volunteer development manager, has nothing but praise for the charity’s unsung heroes. “We are so lucky with the numbers and sheer knowledge within the huge range of Trust volunteers and it is very satisfying to see that dedication properly recognised.
”No conservation organisation thrives without volunteer support, but I think the Trust is especially fortunate in the individuals we attract who contribute so much to our overall success and all too often remain anonymous.”
The ‘value’ of volunteers is also of particular importance when it comes to grant applications, she confirmed, with the Trust able to factor in voluntary contribution as match funding for such major projects as the Ancient Tree Hunt.
Accolades were awarded to:
• Steve Waters from London won the title Woodland Trust UK Volunteer of the Year (also the overall South East regional winner) and received the Kenneth Watkins medal for his exceptional contribution across the country to the work of the Ancient Tree Hunt
• Peter Downey of Derbyshire (volunteer speaker of the year) for his enthusiastic talks on behalf of the Woodland Trust to hundreds of community groups, clubs and societies all over the county and beyond
• Tony Burgoyne of Yorkshire (overall Ancient Tree Hunt project winner) for his outstanding work as a tree verifier and support for PR initiatives to promote the Trust’s projects in the region and well beyond
• David Rodway of Yorkshire (volunteer photographer of the year) for photographing trees and wildlife in the Trust’s Hackfall site through the seasons and supplying the images to the Woodland Trust Photo Library through the Trust’s volunteer photographer scheme
• Bob Stoner and Abbey Grove volunteers of Suffolk (overall volunteer group winner) for their work in support of this Felixstowe woodland, now effectively managing the site on behalf of the Trust
• Martin Boiling of London (overall winner for work in support of a project) for his work on the Trust’s Strategic Review, guiding the CEO, management team and trustees in the development of a national strategy to take it into the next decade and beyond
• David Guiterman of Cornwall (South West regional winner) for his longstanding work in support of the woodland officer for Milltown and Lantyan Woods
• George French of Northumberland (North East regional winner) for his care of Whittle Dene woodland over many years
• Dr Anne Phillips of Walsall (North West regional winner) for her extensive work and data records in support of Nature’s Calendar (the study of how seasonal events are affected by changes in the climate)
• Pam Farley of St Albans (Eastern regional winner) for her many talks in support of the Trust, as well as organising the St Albans Support Group to raise the profile of Heartwood Forest locally
• Peter Archdale from Co Tyrone for his tree verifying work which has been the driving force behind the Ancient Tree Hunt in Northern Ireland
• Ann Street from West Lothian, Scotland for her tireless work within the local community in support of Bellsquarry Woods
• Les Wilkins from Llanidloes, Powys, for his verifying work on a record breaking number of trees in support of the Ancient Tree Hunt in Wales
Notes to editors
For media enquiries contact:
The Woodland Trust Press Office on 01476 581121, email: media@woodlandtrust.org.uk
The Woodland Trust:
The Woodland Trust is the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity. It has 300,000 members and supporters.
The Trust has three key aims: i) to enable the creation of more native woods and places rich in trees ii) to protect native woods, trees and their wildlife for the future iii) to inspire everyone to enjoy and value woods and trees
Established in 1972, the Woodland Trust now has over 1,000 sites in its care covering approximately 20,000 hectares (50,000 acres). Access to its sites is free.