Diverse Range of Projects Receive Insurance Corporation Conservation Awards
A project of global importance has been awarded the top prize in this year’s Insurance Corporation Conservation Awards.
Alderney Wildlife Trust will receive £1,500 to put towards their TAG project which will track the island’s gannet population, using electronic tags. With two per cent of the world’s gannets nesting off the shores of the island the data gathered will be of significant interest to the scientific community.
Joint runners up were the Princess Elizabeth Hospital Orchard Project which aims to create a calm and ‘fruitful’ area for use by staff and patients in the grounds of the hospital and David and Dorothy Le Conte at Belle Etoile for their natural conservation area that has attracted a huge variety of wildlife.
The Manpower Award was presented to John and Andrea Toynton of La Rocque Balan Farm. Staff from Insurance Corporation will spend a day at the farm under the direction of Vanessa Crispini-Adams – one of the judges – to continue the work on the converted vinery site to a wild meadow and woodland.
The Young Conservationists Award went to St Martin’s Primary School Gardening Club who will receive funding to purchase a composter.
Voted by islanders through the Insurance Corporation website, the Peter Walpole People’s Choice Award, a £500 prize, went to the GSPCA and St Andrew’s Floral Group for their project to enhance the grounds and attract more wildlife, while also providing a green outlook for the animals in their care. A record number of votes were received.
Insurance Corporation general manager, Mandy Hunt said: ‘We thought last year the judges had a tough task in choosing winners, this year was even more difficult but it is so good to get out into the community and meet people doing their utmost to enhance the natural environment in so many different ways. Congratulations to all the entrants and especially our winners.’
Congratulations to all of the fantastic projects, and we look forward to following your progress!