A new and innovative celebration of the UK’s ‘working conservationists’
Country clothing brand Schöffel Country and the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) have come together to launch a new national awards that will recognise private land managers who are improving the health of the British countryside.
At a moment in time when the need to produce food and deliver for nature has never been more crucial, the Schöffel Countryside Awards – in partnership with the GWCT – will shine a light on the finest examples of ‘working conservation’ and progressive land management across the UK.
“Through these awards, we hope to celebrate the passion and achievements of the people who are going above and beyond for wildlife and the natural environment,” said Schöffel Country’s executive director Marcus Janssen. “And, by working closely with the GWCT, whose research and training is critical to doing just that, we aim to inspire others to follow suit, engage the disengaged, and bring these success stories to the attention of policymakers.”
Dr Alastair Leake, director of the GWCT’s Allerton Project and member of the awards committee, said: “GWCT has a long history of advising farmers and estate managers how to implement its science-based practical solutions to conservation challenges. Nature reserves are important, but given 72% of UK land is farmed, successfully combining food security with biodiversity recovery and climate change mitigation depends on inspiring and supporting these working conservationists. The new awards will showcase the fantastic work of these unsung heroes of conservation.”
Each award category will be judged by a panel made up of a GWCT ecologist or advisor 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.
The awards are open for entries on 9 January and span six categories (see below). They are simple to enter through a dedicated webpage and nominations are encouraged from all quarters, whether it be an individual striving to make a difference on a couple of acres, or a collaborative project spanning several farms or estates.
The awards ceremony will be held in October 2025.
The nomination window will be open on 9 January and run until 31 March. Please go to https://www.schoffelcountry.com/pages/countryside-awardsto enter yourself or nominate your countryside heroes.
Notes to editors
The award categories:
The Nature-friendly Farm/Estate of the Year Award
- To celebrate farms and estates that have excelled in implementing practices that promote biodiversity and species recovery.
The Innovation in Conservation Award
- To champion individuals or groups who have developed innovative solutions, technologies or methods that advance agriculture and the natural environment.
The Farm-Environment Partnership Award
- To recognise farms that have formed successful partnerships with others, showcasing the positive outcomes of collaboration.
The Wetland & Watercourse Conservation Award
- To showcase efforts and achievements in creating and restoring wetland habitats and watercourses to the benefit of biodiversity and ecosystem services.
The Rising Star Award
- To shine on a light on a young individual who is demonstrating an outstanding approach to conservation.
The Working Conservationist Award
- To celebrate an individual who has dedicated much of their life to the conservation of flora and fauna in the British countryside.
Behind the awards:
GWCT – Pioneering research offering hope for the future
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.
Schöffel Country – The country clothing brand with a deep connection to the British countryside
Schöffel Country combines innovation, tradition and genuine passion to engineer the best country clothing for lovers of the countryside and country way of life.
The Schöffel Country team lives and breathes the Great British countryside. This passion has shaped the brand and drives it each day to deliver on a simple vision: to enhance customers’ experiences in the countryside by providing them with the most innovative, high-performance and reliable clothing that money can buy.
As a brand that truly cares about the health of the British countryside, Schöffel Country continues to invest in content campaigns to raise awareness of key issues and highlight those who are setting an excellent example in the realm of countryside management.