CUMBRIA Wildlife Trust's top accolade has been presented to 21 volunteers from across the county in recognition of their untiring support for wildlife.
Every year a select group of Cumbria's top conservation volunteers is chosen by the charity to receive the Gold Badger's Paw Award.
This year the awards were given during a special all-day Volunteer Gathering, held at The Brathay Trust near Ambleside.
This was the first time the annual Badger's Paw award ceremony has been held in person since 2019.
Among those honoured with a Badger's Paw Award this year was Romola Acland, from Kendal, for her longstanding commitment and dedication to the conservation of Cumbria's hay meadows.
She said: "I was completely surprised to get the award, as I just felt like one of many helping out.
"In particular there are so many meadow surveyors devoting so many hours to kneeling in meadows with our noses among the plants, or planting hundreds of plug plants.
"So I feel I should be accepting it on behalf of all of them!
"What better than spending days in flower-rich meadows in lovely places on sunny days?
"To see a meadow that, with work, has improved is very pleasing."
Steve Benn, of Ulverston, was awarded a Paw for working many years to support marine wildlife on our coast in Barrow, including supporting Cumbria Wildlife Trust's marine trainee scheme and more recently on the coastal wellbeing project The Bay.
As was Heather Chislett from Barrow, a volunteer at South Walney Nature Reserve and a familiar and friendly face, welcoming visitors to this coastal nature reserve with its grey seal colony.
David Jackson, of Grange, was another recipient for his support over many years at conservation work parties on Cumbria Wildlife Trust's nature reserves, in particular Latterbarrow, Humphrey Head, and Brown Robin.
He said: "Receiving this award came as a complete and humbling surprise.
"It often occurs to me that few visitors probably realise the contribution that volunteers make to maintaining the countryside which they are able to enjoy, and hearing that Cumbria Wildlife Trust has 600 such dedicated volunteers working quietly in the background is a credit to all involved.
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"I'm proud and humbled to be one of that group, and wish to recognise the contribution made by all in their respective roles."
Alasdair McKee and Susan McKee from Lancaster were recognised for championing the ospreys at Foulshaw Moss Nature Reserve since 2015.
As well as welcoming visitors and telling them about wildlife on the nature reserve, they also run the popular Twitter account @Foulshaw2, bringing the ospreys to a huge audience of fans, both locally and globally.
Susan McKee said: "It's a pleasure and a privilege to be part of the ospreys' unfolding story as these remarkable birds have made their Cumbrian comeback.
"At the same time, watching Foulshaw Moss itself steadily revive and return to how it should be is a real joy."
Alasdair McKee said: "I really enjoy having the chance to spend so much time in one amazing place - seeing the incredible range of wildlife that we have on the nature reserve and also sharing that experience with the visitors to Foulshaw Moss.
"Receiving the award is the icing on the cake and a real honour."
Another recipient was Brenda Sumner, of Ulverston, for her tireless work as treasurer for the charity's Local Support Group in Ulverston, in particular for raising awareness, organising events, and serving refreshments, for an incredible 27 years.
Stalwart volunteer Peter Woodhead was recognised for working on, among many other things, dwarf willow surveys and the geology of Cumbria Wildlife Trust's nature reserves.
He has also been a valued committee member and trustee, who was instrumental in developing opportunities for young conservationists with the University of Cumbria
He said: "For me, this is the highest accolade in local wildlife conservation.
"And it's all for doing what I enjoy so much.
"Volunteering for Cumbria Wildlife Trust has enabled me to indulge my passion for conserving wildlife and to educate others, young and old, into the delights of the natural world."
Stephen Trotter, Chief Executive of Cumbria Wildlife Trust, paid tribute to their outstanding work, saying: "Congratulations to our Gold Badger's Paw award winners for their fantastic contribution to helping our county's wildlife.
"All of our volunteers play a vital part in bringing wildlife back to Cumberland, Westmorland, and Furness.
"We really value their commitment, support, and hard work.
"It is fair to say that Cumbria Wildlife Trust was created by volunteers, is maintained by volunteers, and will only be able to continue its work, thanks to its many volunteers.
"It is amazing how many people work so hard for wildlife, in so many different ways.
"We are incredibly grateful to them all."
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