Grow Ltd Wins Top Prize at Insurance Corporation Conservation Awards 2021

The top prize of £2,500 in The Insurance Corporation Conservation Awards 2021 has been won by Grow Ltd, whose 'Homes For Wildlife' project produces high quality recycled and sustainable homes to benefit local wildlife, whilst providing skills and meaningful occupation for their crew.

This year's runner-up prize of £1,500 is awarded to Le Vallon D'Or Woodland project in Sark. The aim of their initiative is to manage, conserve and restore the existing woodland habitat and create new habitats for biodiversity. This will encourage birds, pollinators, flora and fauna.

The £500 Best Education Project went to Alderney Wildlife Trust whose 'Exploring Our Seas' project aims to give the children of Alderney and the Bailiwick of Guernsey the opportunity to learn about the incredible diversity of the local marine environment through boats trips.

The winners of this year's Young Conservationists of the Year Award were La Houguette School Eco Club, who were rewarded with £250 to go towards their project.

A special Lockdown Award introduced this year was presented to the Pollinator Project, who in partnership with Guernsey Mind developed various initiatives to engage the Guernsey community in the conservation of local nature during the 2020 pandemic.

2021s Unsung Hero Award went to Angela Salmon, who has been Group Coordinator for Guernsey Conservation Volunteers (GVC) for over a decade, and instrumental to the organisations operation and success.

The Peter Walpole People's Choice Award, which was created in honour of the founder of Insurance Corporation and this competition, went to Guernsey Marine Litter Project, managed by Richard Lord. Richard, who received the most public votes on the company's website, has been rewarded with £500 towards his marine conservation project.

Michelle Steele, HR & PR Executive for Insurance Corporation and Chairperson of the Judging panel said that they were overwhelmed with the entries they received this year: “Our awards have been running for over three decades and we continue to be pleasantly surprised by the broad range of entries and this year was no exception.  There are so many islanders committed to protecting and enhancing the natural environment within the Bailiwick. We were delighted to award Grow Ltd with the top prize this year, for not only finding ways to look after the local wildlife but also supporting our community to develop new skills. Congratulations to all the entrants and especially our winners”.

Due to covid-19 the competition was unable to run in 2020. In 2019 the top prize went to The Soil Farm, while the runner up was The Dolfin Project.