THE search is on for nature lovers who have made a difference to the conservation of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
The AONB Partnership has opened nominations for its annual Pendlebury Award, which recognises those who go the extra mile to look after the North Pennines landscape.
The award is open to groups and individuals involved in conservation in the area, or in helping people understand and enjoy nature and heritage.
This year will be the seventh time the award has been given.
It is inspired by and named after the late Bob Pendlebury, the first chairman of the North Pennines AONB Partnership.
Chris Woodley-Stewart, director of the North Pennines AONB Partnership, said: “Nature is in crisis, but there are many people who devote much time and energy to looking after the North Pennines’ landscape, wildlife and heritage, either in their working lives or in their spare time.
“The Pendlebury award is a way for the AONB Partnership to recognise some of those outstanding contributions.
“We also want to celebrate people who are doing great work for connecting people with nature and heritage, because unless people can experience these things they’ll be less likely to care for them.”
Last year, the Pendlebury Award was won by Guy Broome. Guy, who lives in the Cumbrian North Pennines, has a depth of knowledge of nature which he readily shares with others.
He is also an accomplished photographer capturing stunning images of nature especially butterflies and moths.
He is also the author of a blog written for the North Pennines AONB Partnership’s Fellfoot Forward Landscape Partnership scheme.
Other previous winners of the award include note dale botanist Dr Margaret Bradshaw and Chris and Heather McCarty, who worked side-by-side at Natural England’s Moor House Upper Teesdale National Nature Reserve for many years.
Mr Woodley-Stewart added: “This year, we have lost previous winner Dave Liddle who was an exceptional advocate for the wildlife of the North Pennines, both in his private life and as a ranger with Durham County Council’s Countryside Service. Dave made a lasting positive impact for nature and people and will be sadly missed.”
The closing date for nominations is Friday, November 18, and the winner will be announced at the AONB Partnership’s annual forum online event on December 1.
For more details and a nomination form, contact Simon Wilson by email simon @northpenninesaonb.org.uk, call 01388 528801 or visit www.northpennines.org.uk.
To take part in the annual forum, go to www.northpen nines.org.uk/event/annual- forum-2022.
