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Congratulations to the Wilder Kent Volunteer Awards 2024 winners!

The annual pinnacle of Kent Wildlife Trust’s ‘Wilder Volunteering Recognition Programme’ is the Wilder Kent Volunteer Awards that we are proud to host in partnership with the Marsh Charitable Trust.

This year the event took place at University of Kent on the 20th July where we celebrated the significant contributions of six outstanding volunteers and groups. Their skills, experience, and passion contribute immensely to the conservation of Kent's wildlife. We are honoured to show our appreciation for the exceptional efforts of our volunteer team.  From monitoring and maintaining our nature reserves, collecting essential species data, engaging with individuals, groups and stakeholders to inspiring youth about wildlife, our volunteers play a crucial role in all corners of the Trust’s work, realising and supporting our vision of a wilder future for Kent and beyond. 

We are thrilled to announce the winners of the 2024 Wilder Kent Volunteer Awards! Nominations for these awards are submitted by Kent Wildlife Trust and approved in partnership with the Marsh Charitable Trust, for who’s support we continue to be immensely grateful. 

Individual winners 

Dennis Fryer - Ashford Green Team

Dennis Fryer, standing with a Wilder Kent Volunteer Award certificate.

Dennis has volunteered with the Ashford Green Team for over a decade, making a significant impact on the restoration of open habitats at Hothfield Heathland. His generosity is evident in his contributions of chainsaws, equipment, and even cooking pots for baked potatoes. Recently, Dennis has taken on more responsibility, running task lists to cover for wardens and mentoring trainees, especially in chainsaw use. He also contributes to the Faversham and Wilderness Down teams, bringing his professionalism and forestry experience to these groups. Dennis’s dedication and positive influence make him truly deserving of this recognition.  

Dennis has also been an exceptional mentor, dedicating his time and effort to help others build confidence and develop their skills. After completing a chainsaw course last year, one of the trainees felt unsure of their abilities. Dennis’s calm manner and unwavering encouragement over the past few months have been instrumental in restoring this confidence. His dedication and support truly deserve our highest praise and thanks. Congratulations, Dennis!  

Rob Smith  - Podcast Host  

Rob Smith, standing with a Wilder Kent Volunteer Award certificate.

Rob has been pivotal in amplifying the work of the trust and other conservation organisations through the Trust’s podcast, “Talk on the Wild Side.” A seasoned media professional, Rob was a familiar face on BBC South East Today news programme before founding his own media business. He began working with the Trust by producing videos for the Save Swanscombe Campaign, which aimed to protect a Site of Special Scientific Interest.  

His passion for conservation led to the creation of “Talk on the Wild Side,” a monthly podcast celebrating positive environmental efforts, such as reintroducing oysters in Essex and growing low-carbon lettuce at GrowUp Farms. The podcast, produced at no cost to the Trust, highlights the work of various organisations dedicated to nature conservation.  

Rob’s engaging storytelling and relaxed approach make complex issues accessible and enjoyable. His dedication and positivity have been invaluable to the Trust and we are incredibly fortunate to have him as a volunteer. Rob is truly deserving of recognition for his exceptional contributions to conservation and environmental awareness.  

Linda Taylor  - Darland Banks Task Day Volunteer 

Linda Taylor, standing with a Wilder Kent Volunteer Award certificate.

Linda marks her 25th year of volunteering with Kent Wildlife Trust. Since 1999, she has been a stalwart member of the Darland Team, showing up in all weathers to handle various tasks, from tending the fire and extensive raking to knowing everyone’s tea and coffee orders by heart. She has shared her vast butterfly and botanical knowledge and recently stepped up as the team's Volunteer Representative. Beyond her task day contributions, Linda walks butterfly transects and has advertised for new volunteers in local magazines and papers.  

During COVID-19, she played a crucial role in maintaining team morale by driving the social WhatsApp group, ensuring everyone stayed connected. She has also organised the volunteer Christmas dinner and has been the main organiser of the Christmas curries for the past two years, events that the team greatly enjoys. Linda's passion and dedication have never wavered over the past quarter of a century, and she frequently goes above and beyond for the Trust, the Darland Banks Nature Reserve, and the close-knit volunteer team. Her unwavering commitment makes her truly deserving of this award.  

Group winners  

Shoresearch Volunteer Team 

The Shoresearch team standing with a Wilder Kent Volunteer Award certificate.

We are delighted to honour the dedicated volunteers of Shoresearch, The Wildlife Trusts' national citizen science survey of the intertidal shore. Every month, up to 15 committed volunteers gather to record findings on our rocky shores, from Folkestone to the Isle of Sheppey. Their efforts are crucial for collecting data that helps experts monitor fragile sea life and understand the impacts of pollution, climate change, and invasive species. Many volunteers are regular participants, and without their dedication, collecting data on intertidal species across Kent would not be possible. This year, the team has also begun collaborating with Natural England to conduct Invasive Non-Native Species Surveys. We are immensely grateful for their commitment and invaluable contributions.  

Sevenoaks Green Team  

Sevenoaks Green Team standing with a Wilder Kent Volunteer Award certificate.

We are thrilled to honor this exceptional practical volunteer team at Kent Wildlife Trust. This dedicated group consistently shows up week after week, regardless of rain, sleet, or snow, even planning their holidays around task days to ensure they don't miss out. They work across a variety of sites, demonstrating incredible adaptability and willingness to tackle any task, even on the steep gradients of many downland nature reserves. Their hard work, passion, and engagement make them a group to aspire to.   

The team’s contributions are invaluable to the Trust, working across eight sites, including several SSSIs, which represent a significant portion of the Trust’s land holdings. Their expertise in skills such as brush cutting, chainsaw use, first aid, and leadership greatly enhances their effectiveness. They embody the Wilder Kent 2030 strategy by actively managing 30% of the county for wildlife, continuously developing their skills, and fostering an inclusive and collaborative environment. The team’s dedication and camaraderie extend beyond task days, making a profound impact on the Trust and its mission.  

Wild About Gardens  

Wild About Gardens Team standing with a Wilder Kent Volunteer Award certificate.

We are delighted to celebrate the dedicated team of WAG (Wild About Gardens) volunteers for their outstanding contributions to Kent Wildlife Trust. Over the past few years, this team has been instrumental in demonstrating the success of WAG in reaching a broad audience and spreading KWT's key message. Excelling in the skillful tasks of monitoring and evidence collection, the WAG team meticulously collates activities into comprehensive spreadsheets and analyses this data to produce insightful end-of-year reports. This behind-the-scenes work is crucial for showcasing WAG's achievements and effectiveness, and ensuring up-to-date information for reporting. Their dedication provides detailed insights into WAG activities, enabling more effective and engaging efforts for nature and nature recovery. The team's commitment to asking tough questions and focusing on data-driven results drives continuous improvement in their mission, making their contributions invaluable to Kent Wildlife Trust.  

Volunteers are the cornerstone of Kent Wildlife Trust’s efforts. Their dedication, skills, passion, and energy enable us to reach more people and work more efficiently and at greater pace and scale. Thanks to their contributions, Kent’s natural spaces are safeguarded for future generations. 

We extend our deepest gratitude to all our volunteers. Their commitment and hard work are crucial to our mission, and we couldn't accomplish our goals without them. Every action they take supports vital conservation work, fostering a Wilder Kent. 

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