Local nature and wellbeing work has been recognised in the John Muir Awards.
Participants from The Bay, a nature and wellbeing programme offered in partnership with Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust (LSCft), The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside, The Eden Project and Cumbria Wildlife Trust, are celebrating after receiving John Muir Awards for their dedication to caring for the natural environment.
Their recent achievements, which contributed to their John Muir award included collecting 11 bags of litter, completing 44 hours of scrub clearance and the removal of invasive species.
Attendees also collected 221 shark eggs submitting the data to the Shark Trust, produced 87 pinecone bird feeders, created 42 new habitats for local wildlife and planted 688 trees.
The project is succeeding to focus strongly on prevention and improving mental health and wellbeing for its users and small group sessions give the attendees the opportunity to partake in a variety of different activities and help conserve wild places.
The Bay is funded with support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery through the Postcode Recovery Fund.
And since the launch, the project has received over 250 referrals and has engaged with over 6,000 people through community events.
The John Muir Award is an environmental award scheme focussed on wild places and encourages people from all backgrounds to connect and enjoy caring for the environment.
The award promotes awareness and responsibility for the natural environment through an adaptable scheme, in the spirit of fun, adventure and exploration.
The awards ceremony took place on the beach near Rossall Point Tower and was attended by Lancashire Wildlife Trust’s chief executive Dr. Tom Burditt.
He said: “I had the honour of being invited to Rossall Point in Fleetwood to present John Muir Awards to a number of proud participants.
“It was to recognise the work they had done for nature over a three-month period, but I also heard about the friendships made, the confidence and wellbeing that had grown, the lives getting back on track, and the love of nature that had been allowed to flourish.”
The group also created an additional keepsake postcard to commemorate their hard work.
Alison Boden, Wyre Council Coast and Countryside Manager, added: “The Bay, nature and wellbeing sessions are a great way to help local people get involved with caring for Wyre and Lancashire’s wildlife.
“They help local people connect with each other and nature.
“It’s great to take time to celebrate the achievements of the volunteers and coordinators.”
For more information on The Bay project and their incredible work, you can visit their website, www.thebay.org.uk where you will also find the referral forms and contact details.
If you have a story or something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at chloe.wilson@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @chloewjourno
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