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Schöffel Countryside Awards

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Schöffel Countryside Awards
Finalists unveiled for the Schöffel Countryside Awards

Finalists unveiled for the Schöffel Countryside Awards

Schöffel Country and the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) are thrilled to announce the finalists for the inaugural Schöffel Countryside Awards, which recognise those who are improving the health of the British countryside and delivering for nature.

More than 80 nominations were received earlier this year, from which 24 finalists have been shortlisted across six categories. These countryside heroes include individuals, farms and estates from across the country.

The panel of 28 judges have spent the spring and summer visiting each finalist to observe their conservation work in action.

At a moment in time when the need to produce food and deliver biodiversity recovery has never been more crucial, these awards, run in partnership with the GWCT, aim to shine a light on the finest examples of ‘working conservation’ and progressive land management across the UK.

The winner of each category will be announced at an evening awards ceremony on Monday 3 November.

Waders for Real conservation sign on gate overlooking grazing cattle and heathland

The finalists are as diverse as they are well spread across the country, creating and managing many habitat types between them.

Schöffel Country’s executive director Marcus Janssen, who is also a judge, says: “We’re excited to unveil our finalists, chosen from a very strong field of entries across all six award categories.

“These are exactly the sort of people and projects we set out to find when we launched the awards in January. The passion and dedication we have seen during our judging visits has been truly remarkable.

“We now look forward to sharing our finalists’ stories, and highlighting their achievements, with a wider audience.”

Megan Lock, judge and senior farm environment advisor for GWCT, says: “I have been incredibly impressed with the commitment and dedication I have seen on all my judging visits, where individuals and groups have gone above and beyond to deliver benefits for the environment.

“These awards are a great way to showcase and appreciate those making a difference who generally go unrecognised.”

The finalists

The Nature-Friendly Farm/Estate Award

Sponsored by Oakbank Game & Conservation

To celebrate farms and estates that have excelled in implementing practices that promote biodiversity and species recovery.

Nedging Hall Estate, Suffolk
Courteenhall Farms, Northamptonshire
Cruglas Farm, Ceredigion
Gordon Castle Estate Co Ltd, Moray
J & J Beary Farming Ltd, Cumbria
Vine House Farm, Lincolnshire
Ragley Estate, Warwickshire
EJ Barker & Sons, Suffolk

Grazing management couple standing with cattle herd in a wildflower meadow

Emily and Alex Crawley of Grazing Management Ltd, a finalist in the Innovation in Conservation category, were early adopters of no-fence livestock collars.

The Innovation in Conservation Award

Sponsored by B-hive Innovations

To champion individuals or groups who have developed innovative solutions, technologies or methods that advance agriculture and the natural environment.

Grazing Management Ltd, Gloucestershire
Geoff Eyre, Abney Moor, Derbyshire

Conservation team discussing plans around a table in a rustic timber barn

A few members of the Central Chilterns Farmer Cluster – which brings together 18 farms across 6,500 acres, and is a finalist in the Farm-Environment Partnership category – meet to share ideas.

The Farm-Environment Partnership Award

Sponsored by The Crown Estate

To recognise farms that have formed successful partnerships with others, showcasing the positive outcomes of collaboration.

The Central Chilterns Farmer Cluster, Buckinghamshire
Wellshead Estate & Wellshead Natural Capital, Somerset
Wiston Estate, Sussex

Aerial view of restored wetland channels winding through green farmland

Norton Marshes on the Raveningham Estate in Norfolk, a finalist in the Wetland & Watercourse Conservation category, saw bittern breed successfully for the first time this year.

The Wetland & Watercourse Conservation Award

Sponsored by The Atlantic Salmon Trust

To showcase efforts and achievements in creating and restoring wetland habitats and watercourses to the benefit of biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Norton Marshes, Raveningham Estate, Norfolk
Shenton Estate, Warwickshire
Bisterne Estate, Hampshire

Wildlife photographer smiling outdoors with camera on tripod near beehives

Emily Graham is a finalist in the Rising Star category. She has dedicated herself to the North Pennines landscape and its wildlife and is determined to do whatever it takes to defend it.

The Rising Star Award

Sponsored by Pressendye

To shine a light on a young individual who is demonstrating an outstanding approach to conservation.

Emily Graham, County Durham
Rosie Morton, Edinburgh
Thomas Hilder, Hampshire
Timothy Smith, Kent

Smiling man in green jacket standing among woodland trees and shrubs

Rupert Brewer from Bisterne Estate in Hampshire, a finalist in the Working Conservationist category.

The Working Conservationist Award

Sponsored by Harrison Spinks

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

John Hitchcock, South Yorkshire
Rupert Brewer – Bisterne Estate, Ringwood
Graham Denny – Brewery Farm, Suffolk
James Allsop – Monk Wood Shoot, Derbyshire

The panel of judges is made up of GWCT ecologists and advisors and external experts in relevant fields, including ‘Cheerful Charlie’ Ireland from Clarkson’s Farm, Holkham Estate general manager of conservation Jake Fiennes, CEO of B-hive Innovations Vidyanath Gururajan, and numerous others.

Farmers attending a conservation training session in a bright meeting room

The GWCT has been at the forefront of research and advice in the realm of nature-friendly farming for almost a century.

Why have we partnered with the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust?

For nearly 100 years the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust has been a champion for wildlife through an evidence-led approach to conservation. From waders to woodland birds, game management to farmland ecology, wild salmon to pollinators and black grouse to moorland conservation – the breadth of research carried out by the GWCT makes it unique.

Through sound advice and support the GWCT helps farmers, land managers and conservationists across the UK succeed in their mission to enhance the British countryside.

As an independent wildlife conservation charity, the GWCT has carried out scientific research into Britain’s game and wildlife since the 1930s and employs more than 60 post-doctoral scientists and other research staff with expertise in areas such as birds, insects, mammals, farming, fish and statistics.

The trust undertakes its own research as well as projects funded by contract and grant-aid from government and private bodies.

At Schöffel Country, we’re huge advocates of the GWCT’s work. Over the years we have raised funds for the trust through giveback campaigns, and we’re now delighted to be working with it to recognise people, farms and estates who are doing remarkable things in the British countryside.