Image: Mary-Kate Jones (Snowdonia Society Project Manager) receives the award from Caroline Quentin.
A project dedicated to maintaining and improving the famous landscapes of Snowdonia National Park has taken home a special Highly Commended at the 2018 Park Protector Awards.
Our volunteer project, received a £500 grant at a parliamentary reception last night [17 October]. The top prize of £2000 was taken by a project restoring bog habitats, Opening Up Emsworthy Mire, in Dartmoor National Park.
The annual Award is run by Campaign for National Parks to recognise, celebrate and support projects that make a difference within the English and Welsh National Parks.
President of Campaign for National Parks, the actress Caroline Quentin, and Julian Glover, who is leading the Government’s review of England’s Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and National Parks, addressed guests at the reception.
Mary-Kate Jones of the Snowdonia Society said: “It’s fantastic that all our hardworking volunteers can be recognised for the hours and days they have put into Snowdonia’s beautiful landscapes. Together we are fixing footpaths, tackling invasive species, managing wildlife habitats and so much more. A big thank you goes to all our partners who make up team Snowdonia.”
Caroline Quentin, president of Campaign for National Parks, said: “The Snowdonia Society can be so proud of their work and I am delighted to see them receive the Highly Commended prize.
The National Parks are important national assets and projects such as Helping Hands are great examples of why we should all be getting out and enjoying these beautiful areas of countryside.”
Stephen Ross of the Ramblers Holidays Charitable Trust, the sponsors of the Awards, said: “We have been delighted to see so many share in our passion for the incredible beauty and importance of the National Parks. Opening up Emsworthy More and Helping Hands are both fantastic examples of projects that are making a difference across England and Wales.” The Breedon Group also generously supported the Highly Commended Award.
Many thanks to our funders Postcode Local Trust, a grant-giving charity funded entirely by players of People’s Postcode Lottery, Cronfa Partneriaeth Eryri and the Garfield Weston Foundation for supporting our project.
