Conservation heroes given Marsh Award
Two unsung heroes of conservation were rewarded for their achievements today when they each received a Marsh Award for Wetland Conservation from the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) in partnership with the Marsh Christian Trust.
Colin Gray and Mark Smart were presented with their awards by Peter Titley of the Marsh Christian Trust at WWT’s annual general meeting in Slimbridge.
Colin Gray received his award for his role in restoring Hampshire’s largest area of freshwater, Fleet Pond, during which he rallied support from the local council, the MOD, University College London and TV naturalist Chis Packham, amongst others, securing £100,000s of funding in the process.
Mark Smart received the award for his 17 years managing RSPB Berney Marshes in the Norfolk Broads, during which he brought together landowners, conservationists, local authorities and scientists to improve the marshes for wildlife. Today more than 300 pairs of wading birds nest there each spring, and more than 100,000 waterbirds return to it each winter.
Speaking at the event, WWT Chief Executive Martin Spray said:
We in the conservation world are fortunate to be surrounded by passionate and innovative people. While achieving anything in conservation requires people from across a large spectrum of society, it takes someone very special to bring about that collaboration in the first place, and then maintain momentum and motivation.
Whether through inspiration, ingenuity or sheer hard work, we all owe a debt to the people who make things happen.
“Often they’re working so hard their names are unknown outside their immediate circle, so I’m very proud today that, thanks to the Marsh Christian Trust, WWT is able to formally recognise and reward the incredible achievements of Colin Gray at Fleet Pond in Hampshire and Mark Smart at Berney Marshes in Norfolk.
