Your chance to win a prestigious photography award and cash prize of £5,000. Winners will have their work showcased in a national touring exhibition and in a stunning book published by AA Publishing.
The competition opens Saturday 1 February 2011.
Now in its third year these awards celebrate and recognise the talents of photographers of all nationalities practicing in the UK, while at the same time, highlighting the great wealth and diversity of the natural history of the British Isles.
With a prize fund of up to £20,000 and the overall winner receiving a cash prize of £5,000, the images receiving judges’ commendations will form part of a series of nationwide exhibitions. The British Wildlife Photography Awards aim to set the standard for wildlife photography in the UK for many years to come.
There are 11 categories and more details of these can be found at www.bwpawards.co.uk. They include:
• Animal Portraits
• Animal Behaviour
• Urban Wildlife
• Hidden Britain
• Coast and Marine.
• Wildlife in my Backyard
• Habitat
• British Seasons
• Documentary series
• Wildlife on Video
New for this year is - Living Landscape: Connectivity
Being connected to the natural world is great for our health, our happiness and for the future. All are inextricably linked. And so The Wildlife Trusts are working on a recovery plan for nature. It is our vision to create a resilient environment; one rich in wildlife and great for people. What we call ‘A Living Landscape’.
This category is purposefully open to interpretation to encourage creativity and fresh and imaginative responses. Connectivity might be physical, sensory, seasonal or otherwise. We are keen to see how this category captures the imagination and how connectivity within the UK landscape is defined. Positive images illustrating how habitats, species, communities and individuals are all connected, and interconnect, within our natural environment, both in rural and urban settings, are encouraged. Whether images capture an imaginative or purely narrative approach; are simple or complex, the winning image will be breath-taking, mesmerising and powerful.
Some typical (and not exclusive) examples:
◦Bee species pollinating crops directly links wildlife with the economy
◦Salt marshes acting as a buffer between land and seas
◦Hedgerows play a part in keeping the countryside ‘stitched’ together
◦Estuaries are the connection for freshwater species with marine life
◦Rivers connecting streams to the sea
◦Sensory connections: the sights and sounds of everyday nature
◦Children playing in a meadow, part of a bigger habitat restoration schem
◦Close up of a wall or pavement, showing the life these physical connections harbour eg lichens, invertebrates
◦Practical conservation volunteers at work, the birth of a new habitat where people come to connect with nature
◦Delight at witnessing a grandchild’s wonderment during their first wildlife encounter
◦School parties connecting within their local community green spaces
◦Symbolic images that epitomize our connection with nature and our landscape
Awards and Prizes:
British Wildlife Photographer £5,000
Each Category prize £1,000 worth of equipment
Including: (or equivalent),Canon PowerShot G12 – Camera, Canon Pixma Pro 9000 MK II – Printer,RSPB Binoculars
Video Award
LEGRIA HF S21 High Definition Digital Camcorder (value £969.00)
Young Awards
There are also three special awards to encourage participation by young people, schools and youth community groups.
Young British Wildlife Photographer (Up to 11) £300
Young British Wildlife Photographer (12 - 18) £500
School, Youth and Community Group Award £3,000 worth of Serif Design Software and Video Camera.
Dates
The competition will be open for entries on Saturday 1 February 2011. The closing date is Thursday 2 June 2011. Entrants will be able to submit entries online or via post.
Sponsors and supporters
The competition is sponsored by The Wildlife Trusts, WWF, RSPB, Canon Countryside Council for Wales, Buglife, Serif, Genesis Imaging and Outdoor Photography.
Supported by: Natural England, The National Trust, Scottish Natural Heritage, Towergate Camerasure and Country Side Jobs Service.
For more detailed information about the competition, including how to enter, a full description of categories, shooting tips, and terms & conditions, please visit the competition website: www.bwpawards.co.uk.
Wednesday, 2 February 2011
Friday, 28 January 2011
Thursday, 27 January 2011
‘Quick fix’ forest sale must not threaten our natural heritage
The Wildlife Trusts urge the Government to recognise the practicalities and realities of securing the long-term protection of England’s forests for the future. They were commenting on the consultation into the sale of publicly-owned forests, a high proportion of which have wildlife value.
The transfer of ownership of these forests away from the Forestry Commission presents a real risk to the future of our natural heritage. Nature’s recovery is a key objective of the imminent Natural Environment White Paper – this could be a barrier to achieving that.
The Wildlife Trusts recognise that the consultation seeks to put some safeguards in place with Sites of Special Scientific Interest. However, the safeguards must extend to Local Wildlife Sites which represent some of our richest wildlife areas, and their importance was recognised by Making Space for Nature. The operation of market values and commercial timescales for the disposal of high value land totally fails to recognise the extreme challenge to voluntary and community bodies as they seek to raise funds to take on such sites.
Stephanie Hilborne OBE, Chief Executive of The Wildlife Trusts, said:
“The long-term history of commercial foresty in England has not been a proud one for nature. Let’s ensure that the imperative for a quick fix sale does not take us back to an earlier era where wildlife suffered at the hands of inappropriate forestry.”
The Wildlife Trusts urge the Government to recognise the practicalities and realities of securing the long-term protection of England’s forests for the future. They were commenting on the consultation into the sale of publicly-owned forests, a high proportion of which have wildlife value.
The transfer of ownership of these forests away from the Forestry Commission presents a real risk to the future of our natural heritage. Nature’s recovery is a key objective of the imminent Natural Environment White Paper – this could be a barrier to achieving that.
The Wildlife Trusts recognise that the consultation seeks to put some safeguards in place with Sites of Special Scientific Interest. However, the safeguards must extend to Local Wildlife Sites which represent some of our richest wildlife areas, and their importance was recognised by Making Space for Nature. The operation of market values and commercial timescales for the disposal of high value land totally fails to recognise the extreme challenge to voluntary and community bodies as they seek to raise funds to take on such sites.
Stephanie Hilborne OBE, Chief Executive of The Wildlife Trusts, said:
“The long-term history of commercial foresty in England has not been a proud one for nature. Let’s ensure that the imperative for a quick fix sale does not take us back to an earlier era where wildlife suffered at the hands of inappropriate forestry.”
Tuesday, 21 December 2010
High Speed Rail proposals off-track
The Government’s proposed High Speed Rail route announced yesterday (Monday) will rip through ancient woodland and devastate sensitive wildlife areas.
Stephanie Hilborne OBE, Chief Executive of The Wildlife Trusts, said:
“Whilst some consideration may have been given to noise and visual impacts on those people who live along the proposed route, the Transport Secretary made no reference at all to the impact on the natural environment.
“The proposed route will destroy or irrevocably damage a large number of important sites, dissect the landscape and fragment isolated patches of habitat. In the context of the recent Making Space for Nature report, the very last thing we should be doing is damaging existing wildlife sites and creating new linear barriers to the movement of wildlife.”
Ahead of Monday’s announcement by the Rt Hon Philip Hammond, The Wildlife Trusts’ own analysis indicates it will impact directly on two Wildlife Trust nature reserves, four sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs), 10 ancient woodland sites and 53 Local Wildlife Sites or potential Local Wildlife Sites.
Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust is one of the seven Wildlife Trusts* affected by the High Speed Rail route between London and Birmingham. Philippa Lyons, Chief Executive of the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust, said:
“The new route for HS2 will be devastating for wildlife especially protected species such as bats, nationally-rare butterflies, water voles and otters in our most sensitive habitats such as ancient woodland and meadows. The route announced yesterday will irreparably damage several important wildlife sites including Calvert Jubilee nature reserve in north Buckinghamshire and the Colne Valley Site of Special Scientific Interest in south Buckinghamshire.”
The seven Wildlife Trusts affected by the proposed High Speed Rail route announced are:
• London Wildlife Trust
• Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust
• Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust
• The Wildlife Trust for Beds, Cambs, Northants & Peterborough
• Warwickshire Wildlife Trust
• Birmingham & Black Country Wildlife Trust
• Staffordshire Wildlife Trust
Stephanie Hilborne OBE, Chief Executive of The Wildlife Trusts, said:
“Whilst some consideration may have been given to noise and visual impacts on those people who live along the proposed route, the Transport Secretary made no reference at all to the impact on the natural environment.
“The proposed route will destroy or irrevocably damage a large number of important sites, dissect the landscape and fragment isolated patches of habitat. In the context of the recent Making Space for Nature report, the very last thing we should be doing is damaging existing wildlife sites and creating new linear barriers to the movement of wildlife.”
Ahead of Monday’s announcement by the Rt Hon Philip Hammond, The Wildlife Trusts’ own analysis indicates it will impact directly on two Wildlife Trust nature reserves, four sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs), 10 ancient woodland sites and 53 Local Wildlife Sites or potential Local Wildlife Sites.
Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust is one of the seven Wildlife Trusts* affected by the High Speed Rail route between London and Birmingham. Philippa Lyons, Chief Executive of the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust, said:
“The new route for HS2 will be devastating for wildlife especially protected species such as bats, nationally-rare butterflies, water voles and otters in our most sensitive habitats such as ancient woodland and meadows. The route announced yesterday will irreparably damage several important wildlife sites including Calvert Jubilee nature reserve in north Buckinghamshire and the Colne Valley Site of Special Scientific Interest in south Buckinghamshire.”
The seven Wildlife Trusts affected by the proposed High Speed Rail route announced are:
• London Wildlife Trust
• Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust
• Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust
• The Wildlife Trust for Beds, Cambs, Northants & Peterborough
• Warwickshire Wildlife Trust
• Birmingham & Black Country Wildlife Trust
• Staffordshire Wildlife Trust
Tuesday, 14 December 2010
RECORD RESPONSE TO NATURAL ENVIRONMENT WHITE PAPER DISCUSSION DOCUMENT
Over 15,000 people and organisations sent responses to a call for ideas on the Natural Environment White Paper, a record number for a Defra consultation, proving that people want to see a real positive change in the future of our natural environment.
The natural environment underpins our economic prosperity, health and wellbeing. The aim of the White Paper is to set out a clear framework for protecting and enhancing the things that nature gives us for free, which are too often taken for granted.
Thanking everyone for their responses, Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman said:
“I’m delighted with the overwhelming response that we have had to our call for ideas on the Natural Environment White Paper. We’ve received over 15,000 replies from individuals, NGOs and businesses, which goes to show that people really care about the natural environment and want a say in how it is managed.
“This is exactly the kind of debate that we had hoped to stimulate. A healthy environment is something that we all need, and all enjoy, so it’s vital that people get involved. We will take these ideas forward as we look to create a new vision for our natural environment and seek opportunities to enhance its value.”
Stephanie Hilborne OBE, chief executive of The Wildlife Trusts, who is delighted with the response said:
“This overwhelming response provides a clear message to the Government that people care passionately about the natural environment and want to see bold and ambitious action to support its recovery.
“The Wildlife Trusts actively encouraged people to play their part for nature by responding to the consultation and encouraging their friends and family to do the same. Thousands chose to take action and show how much they value wildlife. We know millions of people have a passion for wildlife and the natural world. It inspires us every day and provides essential services including food and flood protection. This White Paper is an opportunity to make a real difference and help lay solid foundations for the future.”
Work continues to develop the White Paper for publication in the spring. As part of this, more detail has now been published on our thinking so far on biodiversity offsetting, where society is compensated for its environmental loss, by a developer paying to create or restore an area of habitat elsewhere. We would like to encourage people to give us their views on this potential approach.
Development is needed so that communities can grow and expand, but it can damage wildlife and habitats. Greater use of offsetting is one tool we could use to help us achieve a healthy natural environment.
Caroline Spelman continued:
“Finding innovative ways to protect and enhance our wildlife habitats is vital if we are to achieve the new targets to conserve the natural environment which were set in Nagoya last month. Offsetting could deliver a range of benefits such as helping to create bigger and better areas that allow our wildlife to thrive. We would be interested in views on how we might make greater use of this approach.”
Biodiversity offsetting would not stop development or affect the rules about where development could or couldn’t take place, nor will it weaken protection for species or make it easier to build on our most valuable conservation sites, but greater use of offsetting could help compensate society for biodiversity loss.
Notes to Editors
1. The Natural Environment White Paper will be a bold and ambitious statement outlining the government’s vision for the natural environment, backed up with practical action. It represents an opportunity to change the way we think about and manage the natural environment, seeing it as a system and valuing the services it gives us. It will be published in Spring 2011 and will cover England only.
2. The discussion material on biodiversity offsetting is available at http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/biodiversity/offsetting/index.htm
3. A detailed discussion document was published on 26 July 2010 to encourage the debate about how best we protect and enhance our natural environment, and the valuable services we derive from it. At the same time a short survey was launched, designed to draw in views from the general public.
4. These responses are currently being analysed and a summary of the key messages will be published on the Defra website prior to the publication of the White Paper.
5. More information on Defra’s biodiversity work programme can be found on the Defra website via www.defra.gov.uk/environment/natural/
The natural environment underpins our economic prosperity, health and wellbeing. The aim of the White Paper is to set out a clear framework for protecting and enhancing the things that nature gives us for free, which are too often taken for granted.
Thanking everyone for their responses, Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman said:
“I’m delighted with the overwhelming response that we have had to our call for ideas on the Natural Environment White Paper. We’ve received over 15,000 replies from individuals, NGOs and businesses, which goes to show that people really care about the natural environment and want a say in how it is managed.
“This is exactly the kind of debate that we had hoped to stimulate. A healthy environment is something that we all need, and all enjoy, so it’s vital that people get involved. We will take these ideas forward as we look to create a new vision for our natural environment and seek opportunities to enhance its value.”
Stephanie Hilborne OBE, chief executive of The Wildlife Trusts, who is delighted with the response said:
“This overwhelming response provides a clear message to the Government that people care passionately about the natural environment and want to see bold and ambitious action to support its recovery.
“The Wildlife Trusts actively encouraged people to play their part for nature by responding to the consultation and encouraging their friends and family to do the same. Thousands chose to take action and show how much they value wildlife. We know millions of people have a passion for wildlife and the natural world. It inspires us every day and provides essential services including food and flood protection. This White Paper is an opportunity to make a real difference and help lay solid foundations for the future.”
Work continues to develop the White Paper for publication in the spring. As part of this, more detail has now been published on our thinking so far on biodiversity offsetting, where society is compensated for its environmental loss, by a developer paying to create or restore an area of habitat elsewhere. We would like to encourage people to give us their views on this potential approach.
Development is needed so that communities can grow and expand, but it can damage wildlife and habitats. Greater use of offsetting is one tool we could use to help us achieve a healthy natural environment.
Caroline Spelman continued:
“Finding innovative ways to protect and enhance our wildlife habitats is vital if we are to achieve the new targets to conserve the natural environment which were set in Nagoya last month. Offsetting could deliver a range of benefits such as helping to create bigger and better areas that allow our wildlife to thrive. We would be interested in views on how we might make greater use of this approach.”
Biodiversity offsetting would not stop development or affect the rules about where development could or couldn’t take place, nor will it weaken protection for species or make it easier to build on our most valuable conservation sites, but greater use of offsetting could help compensate society for biodiversity loss.
Notes to Editors
1. The Natural Environment White Paper will be a bold and ambitious statement outlining the government’s vision for the natural environment, backed up with practical action. It represents an opportunity to change the way we think about and manage the natural environment, seeing it as a system and valuing the services it gives us. It will be published in Spring 2011 and will cover England only.
2. The discussion material on biodiversity offsetting is available at http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/biodiversity/offsetting/index.htm
3. A detailed discussion document was published on 26 July 2010 to encourage the debate about how best we protect and enhance our natural environment, and the valuable services we derive from it. At the same time a short survey was launched, designed to draw in views from the general public.
4. These responses are currently being analysed and a summary of the key messages will be published on the Defra website prior to the publication of the White Paper.
5. More information on Defra’s biodiversity work programme can be found on the Defra website via www.defra.gov.uk/environment/natural/
Monday, 6 December 2010
The Wildlife Trusts’ top Christmas tunes
The Wildlife Trusts believe Christmas is the perfect time to celebrate some of our most iconic wildlife – and the people who give their time to protect it too
And what better way to sing their praises than through a selection of the UK’s best loved Christmas Carols. Here’s a guide to The Wildlife Trusts’ top three:
• While shepherds watched their flocks by night
“While shepherds watched
Their flocks by night
All seated on the ground”
The Wildlife Trusts’ grazing flocks are a precious resource, ensuring marshes, meadows and other habitats are maintained for the benefit of wildlife.
Like all livestock, most of these animals need a watchful eye looking over them, and The Wildlife Trusts often rely on volunteers to do this. These volunteers, nicknamed ‘lookerers’ often work over the Christmas period, including Christmas and Boxing Day, ensuring the flocks are comfortable through the tough winter days.
Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s two shepherds will be watching over more than 1,000 - mostly Shetland - sheep this Christmas, whilst eight staff and six volunteers will be keeping their eyes on the Trust’s 100 Dartmoor, Konik and Welsh mountain ponies, as they go about their conservation-grazing work.
At Lancashire Wildlife Trust’s Brockholes Nature Reserve in Lancashire, longhorn cattle on loan from Cheshire Wildlife Trust will be watched over by lookerers as they help shape the landscape of the reserve in time for its grand opening in 2011.
A flock of belted Galloways grazing Worcestershire Wildlife Trust’s Hill Court Farm will be watched over by a team of volunteers over the Christmas period, whilst Northumberland Wildlife Trust’s grazing officer will be out feeding its herds of ponies, sheep and cows.
• In the bleak midwinter
“In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan
Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone”
Birds and other wildlife looking for food and water over the winter can be met with bare branches, a layer of snow on the ground, and frozen ponds and puddles. Ready supplies of food and water left out in gardens can be a lifeline for them, and you can enjoy watching the wildlife that is tempted in, which is particularly visible when trees are bare and snow is on the ground.
Blue tits and great tits can often be seen in gardens where hanging feeders full of seed have been left out. Finches love snacking on seeds in wildflower patches, and also enjoy niger seed.
If you want to attract robins, leave a dish of mealworms outside for them – Robin Redbreast cannot resist this treat. Of course, they also favour the seasonal classic – a piece of juicy Christmas cake!
Don’t forget to ensure fresh water is available, as bird baths often freeze over in the cold weather. Nick Baker, naturalist and Vice President for The Wildlife Trusts, has produced short films on keeping your birds well watered and making bird feeders for the Wildlife Watch UK Youtube channel. Watch them here youtube.com/user/WildlifeWatchUK.
• The holly and the ivy
“Of all the trees that are in the wood
“The holly bears the crown”
As the UK landscape gently settles into a winter sleep, colours pale and foliage disappears. But holly defies this pattern, its scarlet berries and glossy green leaves blazing throughout winter. The evergreen plant is a useful food source for birds and other animals which can feed on the berries when other supplies have dwindled.
There are many Wildlife Trust reserves where the sight of holly can be enjoyed, including Shropshire Wildlife Trust’s The Hollies on the edge of the Stiperstones. Here, some of the UK’s most ancient holly trees can be seen. Worcestershire Wildlife Trust’s Piper’s Hill and Dodderhill Common, Devon Wildlife Trust’s Bystock nature reserve, and Sheffield Wildlife Trust’s Fox Hagg are also good places to appreciate its bright colours.
Wildlife gardeners should consider growing both holly and ivy to support the creatures that visit their patch. Resist cutting back ivy, as its flowers can provide nectar to insects like queen wasps through the winter months and it offers a safe winter hideaway for butterflies and small mammals. The berries of both holly and ivy will ripen through winter and provide food for birds.
And what better way to sing their praises than through a selection of the UK’s best loved Christmas Carols. Here’s a guide to The Wildlife Trusts’ top three:
• While shepherds watched their flocks by night
“While shepherds watched
Their flocks by night
All seated on the ground”
The Wildlife Trusts’ grazing flocks are a precious resource, ensuring marshes, meadows and other habitats are maintained for the benefit of wildlife.
Like all livestock, most of these animals need a watchful eye looking over them, and The Wildlife Trusts often rely on volunteers to do this. These volunteers, nicknamed ‘lookerers’ often work over the Christmas period, including Christmas and Boxing Day, ensuring the flocks are comfortable through the tough winter days.
Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s two shepherds will be watching over more than 1,000 - mostly Shetland - sheep this Christmas, whilst eight staff and six volunteers will be keeping their eyes on the Trust’s 100 Dartmoor, Konik and Welsh mountain ponies, as they go about their conservation-grazing work.
At Lancashire Wildlife Trust’s Brockholes Nature Reserve in Lancashire, longhorn cattle on loan from Cheshire Wildlife Trust will be watched over by lookerers as they help shape the landscape of the reserve in time for its grand opening in 2011.
A flock of belted Galloways grazing Worcestershire Wildlife Trust’s Hill Court Farm will be watched over by a team of volunteers over the Christmas period, whilst Northumberland Wildlife Trust’s grazing officer will be out feeding its herds of ponies, sheep and cows.
• In the bleak midwinter
“In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan
Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone”
Birds and other wildlife looking for food and water over the winter can be met with bare branches, a layer of snow on the ground, and frozen ponds and puddles. Ready supplies of food and water left out in gardens can be a lifeline for them, and you can enjoy watching the wildlife that is tempted in, which is particularly visible when trees are bare and snow is on the ground.
Blue tits and great tits can often be seen in gardens where hanging feeders full of seed have been left out. Finches love snacking on seeds in wildflower patches, and also enjoy niger seed.
If you want to attract robins, leave a dish of mealworms outside for them – Robin Redbreast cannot resist this treat. Of course, they also favour the seasonal classic – a piece of juicy Christmas cake!
Don’t forget to ensure fresh water is available, as bird baths often freeze over in the cold weather. Nick Baker, naturalist and Vice President for The Wildlife Trusts, has produced short films on keeping your birds well watered and making bird feeders for the Wildlife Watch UK Youtube channel. Watch them here youtube.com/user/WildlifeWatchUK.
• The holly and the ivy
“Of all the trees that are in the wood
“The holly bears the crown”
As the UK landscape gently settles into a winter sleep, colours pale and foliage disappears. But holly defies this pattern, its scarlet berries and glossy green leaves blazing throughout winter. The evergreen plant is a useful food source for birds and other animals which can feed on the berries when other supplies have dwindled.
There are many Wildlife Trust reserves where the sight of holly can be enjoyed, including Shropshire Wildlife Trust’s The Hollies on the edge of the Stiperstones. Here, some of the UK’s most ancient holly trees can be seen. Worcestershire Wildlife Trust’s Piper’s Hill and Dodderhill Common, Devon Wildlife Trust’s Bystock nature reserve, and Sheffield Wildlife Trust’s Fox Hagg are also good places to appreciate its bright colours.
Wildlife gardeners should consider growing both holly and ivy to support the creatures that visit their patch. Resist cutting back ivy, as its flowers can provide nectar to insects like queen wasps through the winter months and it offers a safe winter hideaway for butterflies and small mammals. The berries of both holly and ivy will ripen through winter and provide food for birds.
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