Last chance to nominate your conservation heroes for the 2026 Schöffel Countryside Awards –in partnership with the GWCT
The Schöffel Countryside Awards – in partnership with the GWCT – is returning for a second year following the success of last year’s inaugural event. A celebration of private land managers, farms and partnerships whose dedication to wildlife management and conservation is helping to improve the health of the British countryside, the awards ceremony will again be hosted by Coutts Landed Estates in London in November.
The awards celebrate those delivering working conservation – practical, on-the-ground action that proves wildlife recovery and food production can go hand in hand.
Entries 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. It is a simple process to enter and all the details can be found on the Schöffel Countryside Awards website.
The 2026 judging panel has been boosted by two of the winners from the inaugural 2025 Schöffel Countryside Awards – Rupert Brewer, game and wildlife manager of the Bisterne estate, who won the Working Conservationist category and the Wetland and Watercourse category with his team, and Tom Hilder, senior nature-based solutions officer for the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, who won the Rising Star category.
Rupert says: “Winning not one, but two awards was unbelievable. It was fantastic to get recognition for the work and commitment that has been put in over many years. Conservation is something I have carried out because I believe it’s the right thing to do, not something you start out to do for an award. My achievements have only been made possible by GWCT’s excellent advice and contributing to GWCT science has been so rewarding.
“Since the awards I’ve been asked to do keynote speeches and various tours about our conservation successes and winning has highlighted our efforts so well.
“I feel my experience of achieving nature recovery, along with technical expertise in areas of conservation, such as habitat improvement, monitoring and data collection gives me a good insight into how much passion and effort is required. As a judge, this is something I will be Iooking for when visiting this year’s award nominees.”
Commenting on his appointment, Tom says: “Wow, what an opportunity! To travel around the country and meet inspirational young people and land managers carving their way in the sustainable land management sector? Who wouldn't jump at the chance!
“Still being young myself, I am very grateful to GWCT/Schöffel for offering me the chance to bring my skill set and perspective as a young person, relatively fresh into conservation, into a panel already filled with some truly great conservationists and land managers.
“These awards provide a space for people from all walks of life to come together and share their passion and drive for UK wildlife. Something that, as a nation, we should definitely be working harder to collaborate on.
“I think this is why I am so passionate about judging the awards, providing these hard working individuals with the recognition they deserve, yet seldom seek, all whilst promoting the need for sustainable land management in the UK. It is a win-win in my books.
“If you know someone or a farm/project that is going above and beyond to work hard and conserve British wildlife on their patch of land/estate, I would implore you to nominate them now! Even more so, if you think you yourself have been doing this for years and, like me, you just thought ‘oh well, this is just work, it's what I do every day’, take a step back, have a look at all of the great things you have actually achieved and write yourself a nomination! You won't regret it, that's for sure."
Also joining the panel of judges this year are Paul Coulson, Alison Baker and Richard Negus.
The judges, who are made up of GWCT ecologists and advisors and external experts in relevant fields, will visit each finalist to see their conservation work in action before the full panel cast their votes later this year.
Nominations for the 2026 Schöffel Countryside Awards – in partnership with GWCT – opened on 9 January and the last day to submit entries will be 31 March.
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Notes for editors:
The awards span six categories:
Working Conservationist - This category celebrates an individual who has dedicated much of their life to the conservation of flora and fauna in the British countryside.
Nature-Friendly Farm/Estate - This category celebrates farms, tenant farms or estates that have excelled in implementing practices that promote biodiversity and species recovery.
Innovation in Conservation - This category champions individuals or groups who have developed innovative solutions, technologies or methods that advance conservation and the natural environment.
Farm-Environment Partnership - This category recognises farms that have formed successful partnerships with others, showcasing the positive outcomes of collaboration.
Wetland & Watercourse Conservation - This category focuses on efforts and achievements in creating and restoring wetland habitats and watercourses to the benefit of biodiversity and ecosystems.
Rising Star - This category shines a light on young individuals who are demonstrating an outstanding approach to conservation.
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. GWCT also has a dedicated professional advisory service to make sure that the results of its research are easily available to farmers, landowners, gamekeepers, and others delivering practical conservation.
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.
For more information, images or interviews, please contact:
GWCT
Eleanor Williams
ewilliams@gwct.org.uk
07592 025476
Schöffel Country
Will Pocklington
will@schoffelcountry.com