Cumbria Wildlife Trust has presented 12 hard-working volunteers and conservationists with Gold Badger’s Paw awards, in recognition for their tireless support for Cumbria’s wildlife. The awards were presented at our recent volunteer gathering at Tullie, the museum, art gallery and community hub in Carlisle.

The day, filled with talks by staff and volunteers ranging from hedgehogs and dragonflies to city moths, also included the opportunity to explore behind the scenes at Tullie ahead of its relaunch. It was a great opportunity to celebrate the contribution made by the volunteers and for them to come together to see how this relates to our wider work. 

Speaking after the event, which was attended by 70 volunteers, Ruth Alcroft, Volunteering Coordinator at Cumbria Wildlife Trust said: “This is always a very special event for us, and one of my favourite days of the year! It’s a chance for us to publicly thank and show our appreciation for all the fantastic volunteers who do so much for Cumbria’s wildlife. We couldn’t carry out the work we do without the ongoing and tireless support from our 700 volunteers, who all deserve huge thanks and appreciation. The volunteers who have been nominated for Gold Badger’s Paw awards this year have committed themselves often over many, many years to looking after our local wildlife and helping to encourage people’s access to nature.”

Ruth continued: “From office-based roles, wildlife gardening, plug-planting wildflowers and restoring peatlands out on the fells in all weather, to running local support groups and serving tirelessly on committees, there are many different ways to volunteer for wildlife – as you can see, not all of them involve being outdoors! This year’s winners have worked across a very wide range of roles, but all of them have played a huge part in nature’s recovery in Cumbria and in inspiring others get involved too. We are so grateful to all of them, and send them many congratulations.”

This year’s Gold Badger’s Paw award-winners:

• Julia Allen has been involved with us, particularly with our Carlisle-based office at Gosling Sike, for about a decade. She got involved when the wildlife gardens were in an early stage of development, supporting the gardeners, even doing the back-breaking work of creating the pond, getting others involved and turning up week in and week out. She is acknowledged for her dedicated service to wildlife and wildlife gardening, and the positive experience this is providing for those who use the garden.  
• Ruth Ansell-Davis has been heavily involved with us since 2011. She's taken part in a wide range of conservation projects, from the Ancient Tree project to the Wildlife in Sacred Spaces, and more recently as a grassland surveyor.
• Julie Barrett was recognised for her long-term commitment, serving as Treasurer of Cumbria Wildlife Trust. Initially appointed to the Board of Trustees, in 2017 she became Chair of the Audit and Resources Committee. As Treasurer she steered our finances on behalf of the Board and Leadership team. She acted as a mentor to one of our first new ‘trusteeships’ created for 18-25 year olds, and is a regular volunteer with several other environmental charities locally. A passionate supporter of wildlife in Cumbria and a keen birdwatcher, she'll be especially missed by her fellow ‘twitchers’ on the Board. However, we're delighted that she is staying on as an external member of the Audit and Resources Committee and that we'll continue to benefit from her skills, experience and expertise in charity finances.  
• Eve Borrino first got involved with us back in the early 2000s on our Roadside Verges project. With botany as her specialist subject, she’s been involved in surveying a number of sites since then and was thanked for her dedicated service. 
• Fran Brockbank was recognised for her long service in habitat surveying and restoration, including most recently, volunteering with our  peatlands team.
• Helen Dunning has consistently volunteered with us over the last 10 years, surveying and plug-planting in a range of grasslands and hay meadows during this time, including at Bowber Head Farm and Eycott Hill nature reserves. Working with many people in the grassland team, she's also recently become involved with Cold Springs Community Nature Reserve and is passionate about people having access to nature. 
• Elaine Essery received the award for her tireless and dedicated service to the Duddon Local Support Group
• Lynette Gilligan Based at our Duddon Local Support Group, Lynette has been instrumental in the group for many years, including acting as co-chair and encouraging others to get involved. She began her involvement with Cumbria’s wildlife by monitoring butterflies at Millom Lime Works Nature Reserve and then at Lowick Common Nature Reserve.
• Roger Holme has been a driving force in the Ulverston Local Support Group, a passionate local naturalist who has done an amazing amount for wildlife in his patch.     
• Graham Hooley a passionate advocate for wildlife, was recognised for his long-term commitment serving on our Development Committee and Board of Trustees. Appointed to the Board in 2016 as Chair of the Committee, and a Trustee until November 2024, he brought his considerable skills and experience from an academic background in marketing and his research focus on business strategy. As a keen local historian and amateur archaeologist, he has contributed to a wide range of activities and new developments, including the restoration, repair and potential future use of vernacular buildings, especially at Bowber Head Farm Nature Reserve.
• Liz Kingston was acknowledged for her loyal service to the Ulverston Local Support Group. 

• Pete Leeson was awarded a Gold Badger’s Paw not for being a volunteer with us, but for spending decades of his working life on the trees and woodlands of the Lake District and Cumbria. He’s been an enthusiastic and inspirational leader in the Lake District, a champion of trees and all things environmental. 

A huge thank you to all of you!