The National Trust and Countryfile magazine have started a two month search for the unsung heroes of the environmental movement in the 2013 Octavia Hill Awards. These awards are all about the time, passion, energy and commitment that people give to green spaces, whether an allotment, community woodland or nature reserves.
Think about individuals or organisations that you could nominate for an award. Nominations are in four categories:
Natural Hero – for an exceptional individual who has devoted their energy and free time to protecting green spaces and inspiring the local community to do the same.
Green Space Guardians – this award is for a group or organisation, big or small, that has created a lot of noise (locally or nationally) to champion and promote green spaces and places.
The People’s Champion - celebrates a person in the public eye who has worked to inspire people to enjoy and protect the outdoors.
‘Love Places’ award – specifically for National Trust volunteers, individuals or groups, who have enabled local communities to benefit from the open places that are important to them and gone beyond the call of duty.
There will be an online poll in late March to decide the winners, which will be announced in the June issue of Countryfile Magazine and at a special Awards lunch in London. In the 2012 awards more than 170 individuals and organisations were nominated and an online poll to decide the winners attracted nearly 7,000 votes.
More information about how you can nominate people or organisations can be found on the National Trust website.