The winners of this year’s Park Protector Awards have been revealed. Among the winners are a project repairing paths in the Lake District, the leader of a mountain bike community in the Peak District and a group from Nottingham helping city dwellers access National Parks. BBC Countryfile Magazine has once again teamed up with Campaign for National Parks to recognise and reward the efforts to protect National Parks in England and Wales.
Fix the Fells won the main Park Protector Award for their work protecting for the Lake District’s 400 miles of well-trodden paths against erosion. The team is made up of 175 people, including 135 volunteers.
Runners-up for this award included Anita Kerwin-Nye, the executive director of YHA and the brain behind Generation Green, an organisation that has helped connect 100,000 young people to nature and the outdoors. Also in the running was EcoDewi, a group focused on protecting Pembrokeshire Coast National Park against the climate emergency and creating new community spaces.
The New Perspectives Award was also introduced this year to recognise the efforts of those whose voices aren’t heard enough in the discussions of National Parks. AKA Health, Wealth & Oneness won this award for their work helping connect people from inner-city communities in Nottingham to National Parks. Last summer, the team helped bring 250 people to the Peak District National Park.
The Volunteer of the Year Award was chosen by public vote and went to Chris Maloney, who has built an online community of mountain bikers caring for the National Parks.
The awards are run by the Campaign for National Parks and reward efforts made to protect and reward National Parks across England and Wales.
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