WWT Washington shortlisted for national award
WWT Washington Wetland Centre has been shortlisted for a national award at the Biffa Award Ceremony 2016.
The ceremony recognises the achievements of community and environmental projects across the UK. We will now compete against three other organisations for the chance to be named winner of the Nature Spaces category. Other shortlisted projects include; RSPB (Kent), Wiltshire Wildlife Trust (Wiltshire) and The Hirst Wood Regeneration Group (West Yorkshire).
Competition has been fierce from the start, with more than 170 projects eligible to enter the awards under four different categories: Sport & Play, Nature Spaces, Arts & Heritage and Community Life. The winner of each category will receive a trophy and a cheque for £1,000 to help support the continuing development of their project.
The Shingle Islands project received £21.4k in funding from Biffa Award to create a new and improve our existing shingle islands on Wader Lake. Previously, these islands were full to capacity which meant the amount of birds able to settle and breed was heavily restricted. The enhanced area has meant more space for wading birds including lapwing, common tern and regionally rare avocet, which recorded the highest ever number of 44 on site this year.
WWT Washington’s reserve manager John Gowland said, “We’re absolutely thrilled at the number of avocet on site this year. The high number of youngsters is a positive sign of the success of the improved shingle islands. They’ve provided much more space, as well as an increase in protection for other birds sharing the lake, such as oystercatcher, shoveler and redshank. There’s also a pair of little ringed plover that successfully bred on the island earlier this year, a species that had previously been outcompeted for breeding space by the equally welcome avocet.
“We’ve had amazing numbers of over 400 lapwing, which are a red-listed species. That’s quadruple the number of recent years. Lapwing numbers peaked in 1979 at 800, yet with falling numbers and the species in national decline we assumed this number would never be beaten. However the incredible increase in such a short time is a very encouraging step, so who knows what will happen!
“This year has proved to be a very successful season for many species and we’re excited to see what the autumn season will bring.”
The awards ceremony will be held on the 12th October at the Dudley Canal & Tunnel Trust. Guests will be invited to attend an event to celebrate the hard work and dedication of those who have committed to improving their local communities, or the environment.
Gillian French, Biffa Award Head of Grants, said, “Biffa Award projects make up an eclectic community across the country; with projects ranging in size and scale from £500 to £1.6 million. This variety is one of the greatest strengths of this community and the Award Ceremony offers us the chance to celebrate some of their outstanding work. Our judges have a tough decision to decide the winners.”
