(CNS): The UK’s Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) is launching an annual award for nature conservation work undertaken by an individual or group of individuals from an Overseas Territory or Crown Dependency who have made a valuable contribution. Marcus Yeo,Managing Director of JNCC, said that territories and dependencies have an incredibly rich variety of plants and animals, but in some cases urgent action is needed to ensure their continued survival.
“Most of this action is undertaken by local people. We have been amazed at some of the innovation and best practice which can be found, most done with small numbers of people and boundless enthusiasm. We hope this Award will go some way to acknowledging and rewarding their efforts, in the hope that others will be inspired by their successes.”
The award will be known as the ‘Blue Turtle Award’ and applications must come from work or projects that have been in place for over a year, demonstrate innovation and have made a real difference. In addition to a trophy, the Award will give £500 to the individual or the group, and an additional £1,000 contribution to an Overseas Territory or Crown Dependency nature conservation project of their choice.
Nominations are invited from governments, non-governmental organisations, the voluntary sector, the private sector and individuals, and should be submitted no later than 31 October 2009. The award winner will be invited to the UK for an award presentation ceremony.
Tara Pelembe, JNCC’s Overseas Territories Officer encouraged everyone to think of projects and actions that deserve a wider audience and acknowledgement. “We hope the Award will celebrate the great work that is happening, and act as a catalyst to stimulate new nature conservation initiatives,” she added.
The awards will be presented based on the following criteria: Nature conservation benefit/added value; Innovation; Community involvement; Linked to a specific project OR demonstrating long-term commitment and dedication.
Any individual, or group of individuals (including governments) from and working on an Overseas Territory or Crown Dependency, can be nominated. Nominations can be made by filling out a nomination form at www.jncc.gov.uk/page-5002. Guidance is included within the form. Forms can be filled out online or by downloading a MS Wordfile.
Of globally threatened species identified in the 2004 IUCN Red List, 74 critically endangered species occur in the UK Overseas Territories (compared to 10 in mainland UK) along with 49 endangered species (12 in mainland UK) and 117 vulnerable species (37 in the mainland UK). Many of these species are endemic and so are found nowhere else in the world, such as Cayman’s blue iguana.
