The Wild Trout Trust Conservation Awards, supported by the River Restoration Centre, seek to recognise and encourage excellence in wild trout habitat management and conservation and celebrate the efforts, ingenuity and imagination of all those involved.
Who can apply?
The competition is open to entry from individuals or organisations, amateurs or professionals across Britain and Ireland. We are equally keen to see and spread the word about successful, small-scale efforts to improve a stream at the end of the garden just as much as catchmentwide work funded by government agencies.
Award categories
There are two award categories:
1. WTT’s Outstanding Habitat Improvement Project: we will consider practical, in-river projects of allsizes, looking for the very best one producing benefits for the river, its environs, wild trout and for people. Projects could be multiple-benefit, river restoration-type work or single elements such as a weir removal, delivered by government agencies, river or wildlife trusts, local angling clubs or a partnership team.
2. WTT’s Outstanding Contribution to Wild Trout Conservation: we will consider smaller-scale habitat improvement projects for this category but we’re also keen to hear of other work that’s good for wild trout. For example, how an angling club has changed the management of its fisheries and anglers, perhaps reducing or stopping stocking and encouraging catch-and-release.
Judging
Entrants will be expected to demonstrate to a panel of judges (made up from representatives of WTT and the River Restoration Centre) that a project or management programme has benefited wild trout and their environment in a river or lake. Consideration will also be given to aspects such as conservation value, appropriateness of the scheme for the site, funding and value for money, techniques used, sustainability, local involvement, ease of access and post-project management.
How to apply
The application form is available here.
Applications must be received by WTT NO LATER than Friday 31 July 2020 via e‑mail to office@wildtrout.org
The Conservation Awards information flier is available to download here.
Wild Trout Superheroes
We also seek to recognise one person who’s gone that bit further for wild trout conservation, through our Wild Trout Hero Award (for professionals such as riverkeepers or fishery scientists) or the Bernard Venables Award for those working in a voluntary capacity. If you know such a superhero, send your nomination to the WTT Director (director@wildtrout.org) no later than Friday 31 July 2020.
Awards presentation
The awards will be presented at an early evening event in central London on 14 October 2020.
Terms and conditions of entry
Applicants understand that they are entering a competition that is run by a charitable trust. All entries are welcome and encouraged. The Wild Trout Trust will use the material from any entry or prize winner in its promotional literature, or on its website, or in other publicity as may be appropriate to the Trust’s aims, unless you advise at the time of entry that you do not wish to take part. Copyright in any and all material submitted by the applicant(s) will remain with the applicant(s), although by submitting an entry, the applicant agrees to the Trust using material as described in these terms.
Copyright in any material originated by the Trust, including this document and forms and literature obtained or downloaded from the Trust remains exclusively with the Trust. Applicants entering the competition agree to these terms and to the Trust including references to, or material from, entries in promotional material. Prizewinners and those receiving special commendation agree to attend the Awards Ceremony and presentation.
By entering the Conservation Awards you are providing your information to the Wild Trout Trust and no other party. The information you provide will be used in conjunction with the Trust’s privacy policy that can be found on our website and is available upon request. You should read our privacy policy in addition to these terms and conditions.
By supplying your information we may from time to time contact you, by post, with information that you may find of interest about the Wild Trout Trust’s work, events and charitable status. This will include some fundraising and marketing communications and requests for donations or support towards specific projects. We believe that it is a legitimate interest of the Wild Trout Trust to raise awareness of our charitable nature and conservation efforts that focus on practical habitat development projects to improve the natural environment for trout across the UK and Ireland.
We respect your right not to receive communications of a fundraising or marketing nature. Should you prefer not to receive them please let Christina Bryant know by emailing office@wildtrout.org or calling her on 023 9257 0985.
We also take your right to privacy and confidentiality seriously and will never sell, swap, share or lease your information with any other organisation. Your information will be held securely and in accordance with Data Protection laws by the Wild Trout Trust for their own legitimate purposes.