Monday 4th October saw the third UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man Awards. The awards celebrate those contributing to the Man and the Biosphere Programme’s global aims of sustainable development, conservation and education.
MWT are thrilled for our Education and Biodiversity Officer, Dawn Colley, who won the Education award! Dawn has a great passion for wildlife and education and works tremendously hard, inspiring everybody she interacts with. Running school sessions, extra curricular club sessions and our Wildlife Watch group for children and the many other groups for adults from the butterfly transect to the Invert group!
Leigh Morris, MWT CEO, said “I am absolutely delighted at the award of the IOM UNESCO Biosphere Education Award to our MWT Education Officer Dawn Colley. I have been fortunate to work with some brilliant environmental educators in agriculture colleges, zoos and botanical gardens, and on that basis I know just how amazing Dawn is! Dawn is tireless in her enthusiasm to inform and inspire people of all ages about the wonders on #ManxNature. Initially a trained geologist, but now with a deep knowledge across all of nature – from slugs to birds and from rockpools to woodlands. The Biosphere award recognises the work that Dawn has done in the last 12 months, but I believe this is a great recognition for the years Dawn has been educating people and the 1000’s of people who she has touched in a positive way. Educating people is a key aim for all The Wildlife Trusts, to stimulate more people to care for and take action for nature. The positive impact Dawn is having for our natural environment is difficult to measure, but I’m certain it is significant. Well done Dawn! #Deserved”
A huge well done to the other group winners also-
The economy award went to Capital International Group for its ‘Conscious Capital initiative, integrating environmental, social and governance initiatives, with a target of becoming carbon neutral by 2025.
The energy award went to The Children’s Centre, which has, with expert guidance, converted its whole site to solar energy and planted 100 trees.
The enjoyment and engagement winner was Tanya Anderson of Lovely Greens, who shares her love of gardening and nature on TV and radio, on her popular social media channels and in a new book.
The environment award went to PlasticBusters, whose community clean-up initiative, encouraging people to adopt and keep clean areas has global participation.
Find out more about UNESCO Biosphere IOM and the UNESCO Biosphere Awards here - https://www.biosphere.im/news/unesco-biosphere-awards-2021
