After 29 successful years of putting conservation back into the heart of the Channel Island community, Insurance Corporation are preparing for the 30th anniversary of their annual Conservation Awards.
Launched in 1990 by company Founder, Peter Walpole, with the ambition of sustaining and protecting the Channel Islands and its wildlife, the Awards have become a highlight in the calendars of conservationists from all age groups and backgrounds.
With a top prize fund of £2,500, the diverse range of awards have provided more than £100,000 of funding over the span of three decades, helping to support the ongoing development of a variety of exciting projects and in turn benefitting the environmental health of the Islands whilst educating the local population.
After receiving a record number of entries in 2019, the Awards have continued to grow in popularity and have consistently welcomed entries from a variety of areas including schools, youth groups, corporate organisations, professionals from the likes of Durrell Wildlife and many more.
With one year under his belt as Managing Director, Mark Marshall has every intention of ensuring Insurance Corporation continue on this amazing journey, and expects to see some exciting developments to mark the 30th chapter in 2020:
“The conservation awards mean a lot to us as a business due to the fact we live, work and care about these Islands. They really act as an opportunity for us to give something back, no matter how small, and to create some further interest in the things that matter to all of us, the environment.
Coming into its 30th year we really want to celebrate the great initiatives that the Islanders are so passionate about. The event will be bigger than ever and we hope it will continue to have such a positive impact on the local community as it has in the past.”
All projects endure a rigorous judging process based on a number of key criteria that Insurance Corporation look to identify, before a judging panel of Insurance Corporation team members and experienced conservationists from the Island communities then visit to meet project team leaders.
Success levels over the last 30 years have been so high that funding for the main awards are set to be increased in 2020, with the addition of a few extra categories.
Awards categories for 2020 are as follows:
The Best Conservation Project – £2,500
Runner-up – up to £1,500
Peter Walpole People’s Choice Award – £500 (voted for by the public)
Young Conservationist of the Year Award – prize depends on size and scope of the project
Best Youth Group/Education Award – £500
NEW! Unsung Conservation Hero Award – up to £250
NEW! Business Conservation Award
Vanessa Crispini, a previous judge and founder of 2018 winner The Pollinator Project; who work to raise awareness of the importance of pollinators to nature, has witnessed the impact of the Awards over recent years:
“As the only consistent conservation awards in Guernsey over the last 30 years, the impact of the Insurance Corporation Conservation awards has been hugely significant. For individuals and small organisations looking to access funding to make a positive difference to wildlife in the Channel Islands, the Awards are a shining beacon.
“I first got involved when, as a young family, we entered the awards in 2005 for a domestic project we undertook on the land around our very ordinary bungalow. What was so wonderful that first year, was seeing all the other people and projects being undertaken around the island. I made friends with people I still work with now.
“Since then I have entered a number of times for work done in schools planting trees with Guernsey Trees For Life and most recently for the The Pollinator Project. I have also been a judge for several years which was both fascinating and hugely enjoyable.”
Entry forms are available from www.insurancecorporation.com and must be made by Friday 3 April. Judging will take place on Wednesday 13 May.
The Insurance Corporation Conservation Awards culminates with the winners being announced at a lunchtime ceremony for all the shortlisted entrants on Wednesday 24 June.
