Climate action heroes – a reason to celebrate!

Durham Wildlife Trust was thrilled to be nominated as a finalist from a pool of 2,000 applicants in the 'Climate Action Project 2024' category at the national Benefact Charity Heroes Award for our Cuthbert's Moor Project. In this blog, Dr Harriet Palin, Grants & Trusts Officer, shares her experience of attending the awards ceremony.

Arriving at the Tower of London, I was greeted by one of the local wildlife residents, the raven! Don’t worry, however, this wasn’t a bad omen, in fact, myself (Harriet Palin, Grants & Trusts Officer) and Andrew Wadds (Reserves Manager) were there as finalists for the Benefact Charity Heroes Awards 2024.

Durham Wildlife Trust was exceptionally proud to be nominated as a finalist for the Climate Action Project 2024 award sponsored by Eden Tree Investment Management. This was thanks to our Cuthbert’s Moor: Managing Moors Project funded by the Scottish Power Foundation and the Linder Foundation.

Our Cuthbert’s Moor: Managing Moors Project showcased the profound impact of communities working with the Trust to protect an incredibly ecological sensitive and significant site. Spanning 121 hectares of moorland, the project was vital in protecting one of the region’s biodiversity hotspots which supports important upland breeding birds such as lapwing, snipe, golden plover, and black grouse.

The Trust successfully mobilised local residents, schools, and stakeholders to engage in a diverse array of conservation activities, including habitat restoration, species monitoring, and public education campaigns; thanks to Scottish Power Foundation and the Linder Foundation we were able to hold 15 community events throughout the year! Evidence for nature connectedness was also clear, with 85% of our citizen scientists reporting that they felt more connected to nature after contributing to the project.

Public recognition has also amplified the project’s message, featuring both in The Guardian and on Countryfile, the Cuthbert’s Moor: Managing Moors Project demonstrated the urgent need for similar conservation work to restore UK habitats.

a group of people holding certificates on a stage

Durham Wildlife Trust was honoured to be nominated alongside another North East Charity, OASES – Outdoor and Sustainability Education Specialists, who took home the grand prize of £5,000. Durham Wildlife Trust received £1,000. This recognition underscores the fantastic work North East charities are doing to protect our environment. The funds will support continued climate action and sustainability.