27 January 2010

There’s one month to go to get nominations in for this year’s Nature of Farming Award.

The award aims to find the farmer who has put in the most work for nature on their land and is supported by the RSPB, Butterfly Conservation, Plantlife and BBC Countryfile Magazine.

Nominations are already coming in thick and fast and will be narrowed down to a shortlist of eight regional winners. A panel of experts, one of which is Butterfly Conservation's Cheif Executive, Dr Martin Warren, will then whittle the shortlist down to four national finalists before a UK wide public vote gets underway. Visitors to country shows throughout the summer will be able to cast their votes while others can have their say via an online webpoll to choose the award winner.

The deadline for nominations is February 28. All the details on how to enter can be found on the RSPB website.

RSPB Head of Farming Advice, Darren Moorcroft, said: “The Nature of Farming Award is now in its third year and has really gone from strength to strength.

“I’m looking forward to hearing about some of the great work farmers are doing on their land to help our native birds, insects, mammals and plants. There are many people in our countryside who are passionate about protecting wildlife and I’m proud to be part of an award which celebrates their important work.”

Butterfly Conservation's Chief Executive, Dr Martin Warren, said: “A large number of threatened butterflies rely on farmland so it’s crucial that farmers play a role in their conservation. This award highlights the ways in which farmers can help dwindling wildlife.”

Last year’s winner, Michael Calvert, from Barnwell Farms in County Down, Northern Ireland, was recently presented with his award during a ceremony at the Oxford Farming Conference. He caught the attention of the judges and the voting public with his dedication to nature which has resulted in a wide variety of wildlife from barn owls, bullfinches and snipe to smooth newt, Irish stoats, common-spotted orchids and marsh ragwort making its home on his 80 hectare farm.

For more information contact Nik Shelton, RSPB media officer 01767 693554/07739921464