Seeking Lincolnshire’s green heroes

Monday 13th February 2017

Litter picking on the beach Have you cleared litter from your community green space, riverside or local beach?

Could you be a winner? The search is on to find Lincolnshire’s most environmentally friendly businesses, communities, farms and schools.

Entries are sought for the county's most prestigious celebration of environmental excellence: The Lincolnshire Environmental Awards 2017. The Awards recognise hard work and enthusiasm for improving our environment by bringing together communities, businesses, farmers and schools to celebrate their achievements.

“It’s doesn’t usually come naturally to put ourselves forward for awards but hopefully some of you reading this will consider entering” commented Chairman of the Awards Committee, Roger Pavey.

“Perhaps you, or someone you know, are doing some exceptional environmental work carried out by a Lincolnshire farmer or you are part of a community group improving your local patch for wildlife and for people? Does the company you work for encourage recycling and car sharing or maybe your children’s school have been busy setting up wildlife areas? If any of this sounds familiar then we would like to hear from you.”

The winner of the Lincolnshire Young Environmentalist Award (for schools and youth groups with children aged under 13 years) will receive a cash prize of £250 and the runner up a cash prize of £150.

How to enter the Lincolnshire Environmental Awards 2017

Simply write a short description of your project (200 – 300 words) and send it, together with a contact name telephone number and email address, to:

Lincolnshire Environmental Awards
c/o Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust
Banovallum House
Manor House Street
Horncastle
Lincolnshire LN9 5HF

Entries can be submitted online at www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk

Lincolnshire Environmental Awards 2017

Anglian Water Business Award
Centrica Energy Community Award
Branston Ltd Rural and Farming Award
FCC Young Environmentalist Award

The closing date for entries is Thursday 31 March 2017, following which a judging panel will shortlist projects. Each shortlisted project will be contacted to arrange a visit during May, to meet those involved for a short discussion, and tour if appropriate. Finalists will be invited to present their entries to the final panel of judges led by Professor David Bellamy on Thursday 25 May 2017 at the Bentley Hotel in Lincoln. The awards will be presented at a gala dinner at the Bentley Hotel that evening.

The Lincolnshire Environmental Awards, the only dedicated environmental awards in the county, are organised by Lindum Rotary Club and the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. Details of the winners and runners-up of previous year's Environment Awards can be found on the Awards website.

There is always a diverse selection of entries and we never know what to expect. Last year the winning entries were:

Mareham Pastures - a Local Nature Reserve created on the site of an old ste tip by the local community in Sleaford. Wildflowers have flourished, which in turn has created a rich ecosystem for insects, birds and other wildlife and a beautiful place for people to visit.
The Eco Team at Ruskington Chestnut C of E Primary School – who have introduced a range of ideas (walk to school days, eco-themed plays, gardening club) that have helped foster a great positive attitude towards their local environment, encouraging recycling, energy conservation and sustainability.
Flintwood Farm Holidays - luxury holiday cottages, a caravan site and campsite set within 150 acres of farmland with a range of wildlife features.
Brackenborough Hall - a successful Lincolnshire farming business that has diversified by creating award winning self-catering accommodation in the Old Coach House.

Notes to Editors:

Lincolnshire Environmental Awards and the Lincolnshire Young Environmentalist Awards are sponsored by Anglian Water, Centrica, Toyota Lincoln and FCC (formerly Waste Recycling Group).
The Patrons of the Awards are: Mr Toby Dennis, Lord Lieutenant of Lincolnshire, the Rt. Revd. Christopher Lowson, Bishop of Lincoln and Professor David Bellamy.
Lindum Rotary Club established the environment award in 1993. The club is one of four in the Lincoln area. It has 37 members drawn from businesses and professions from the Lincoln area. The club works to give service to the community both locally and internationally through the wider Rotary movement. Lindum Rotary Club also organises the Lincolnshire Youth Speaks competition and is involved in fundraising for various charities. Rotary celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2005, it was founded by Paul Harris in Chicago in 1905.
The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust is dedicated to the conservation of wildlife and wild places throughout the historic county of Lincolnshire – from the Humber to the Wash. The Trust is Lincolnshire’s leading nature conservation charity with over 26,000 members and around 100 nature reserves. The Trust is a member of a nationwide network of 47 local trusts which work to protect wildlife - The Wildlife Trusts. There are 47 local Wildlife Trusts across the whole of the UK, the Isle of Man and Alderney. We are working for an environment rich in wildlife for everyone. With nearly 800,000 members, we are the largest UK voluntary organisation dedicated to conserving the full range of the UK’s habitats and species.