Winners crowned in Schöffel Countryside Awards

The winners of the inaugural Schöffel Countryside Awards have been crowned at a ceremony in central London – a celebration of private land managers, farms and partnerships whose dedication to wildlife management and conservation is helping to improve the health of the British countryside.

The winners of the very first Schöffel Countryside Awards, run in partnership with the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT), were crowned at a ceremony hosted by Coutts Landed Estates in London on Monday 3 November.

The awards, which set out to shine a light on those who are going above and beyond for wildlife and the natural environment – farmers, land managers, and conservationists whose passion, innovation and dedication are shaping the future of the British countryside – launched in January and attracted more than 80 nominations across the UK.

Schöffel Country executive director Marcus Janssen addresses guests before the presentation of awards begins.

Twenty-four finalists were then shortlisted in six categories. Throughout the summer, a panel of judges – including GWCT ecologists and advisors, and external experts in relevant fields such as ‘Cheerful Charlie’ Ireland of Clarkson’s Farm and Jake Fiennes of Holkham Estate – visited the finalists to see their conservation work in action.

Following lengthy deliberations, the judges selected these winners:

Working Conservationist Award – Rupert Brewer – Bisterne Estate, Hampshire

To celebrate an individual who has dedicated much of their life to the conservation of flora and fauna in the British countryside – sponsored by Harrison Spinks.

Nature-Friendly Farm/Estate Award – Cruglas Farm, Ceredigion

To celebrate farms or estates that have excelled in implementing practices that promote biodiversity and species recovery – sponsored by Oakbank Game & Conservation.

Innovation in Conservation Award – Geoff Eyre, Abney Moor, Derbyshire

Championing individuals or groups who have developed innovative solutions, technologies or methods that advance agriculture and the natural environment – sponsored by B-hive Innovations.

Farm-Environment Partnership Award – Wiston Estate, Sussex

Recognising farms that have formed successful partnerships with others, showcasing the positive outcomes of collaboration – sponsored by The Crown Estate.

Wetland & Watercourse Conservation Award – Bisterne Estate, Hampshire

Focussing on efforts and achievements in creating and restoring wetland habitats and watercourses to the benefit of biodiversity and ecosystems – sponsored by The Atlantic Salmon Trust.

Rising Star Award – Thomas Hilder, Hampshire

This category shines a light on young individuals who are demonstrating an outstanding approach to conservation – sponsored by Pressendye.

The judges also awarded the following finalists with special recognition awards:

John Hitchcock (above) from South Yorkshire, was given a Lifetime Achievement in Conservation award and Jim and Julia Beary, in Cumbria, were given an Outstanding Contribution to Conservation award.

Read what the judges said about each of our winners.

Passion, innovation, and hard work

Marcus Janssen, Schöffel Country’s executive director and also a judge, said: “Since launching these awards in January, we have been repeatedly blown away, not just by the sheer number of nominations, but by the passion, innovation and hard work behind them.

“Travelling the country and meeting these individuals, farms and estates has been a truly humbling experience. Their dedication to producing food while restoring nature is nothing short of inspiring. These are the people quietly making a difference every day in our countryside, and it has been a privilege to recognise their efforts.

“We can’t wait to share their individual stories with you – and hopefully inspire more ‘working conservation’ to take place across our rural landscapes.

"At Schöffel Country, the health of our countryside isn’t just a cause we support – it’s part of who we are. The landscapes that inspire our clothing also sustain our way of life, which is why we’re so proud to work alongside the GWCT in celebrating those who care for them."

Nick von Westenholz, GWCT’s chief executive officer, said: “These winners and finalists have shown that conservation and food production are not opposing forces, but can work hand in hand. Through the use of evidence and collaboration, these ‘working conservationists’ are delivering tangible, on-the-ground results for wildlife. Their incredible efforts embody exactly what the GWCT stands for – practical, science-led conservation carried out by those who live and work on the land.

“The sheer depth of knowledge, care and long-term commitment shown by these individuals and estates is probably what has impressed me the most. Whether it’s 30 years of meticulous record-keeping on a Welsh hill farm, the restoration of neglected moorland using pioneering techniques, or the quiet dedication of someone who has spent a lifetime tending their landscape – these are not designed as headline-grabbing projects, but instead to achieve real-world, positive impacts, founded on place, skill and persistence to deliver results year after year.”