**Entries for the inaugural South Pennines Park Awards 2023 are now closed**
The South Pennines Park – which covers a 460-square-mile area cutting across the Yorkshire and Lancashire county boundary, and is home to 660,000 people – is the only upland region in England not designated as a national park or area of outstanding natural beauty.
The awards, which aim to celebrate nature and the diverse landscape within the Park, feature seven categories and a Special Recognition judges’ choice award.
The categories are open to individuals, groups and businesses within the park who support the park’s strapline of ‘looking after nature and each other’.
Helen Noble, Chief Executive of South Pennines Park, said: “The South Pennines Park believes in celebrating both natural and built landscapes – and the people within the park.
“We are continually exploring new approaches to manage our park – with people and conservation at the heart of sustainable development.
“We continually hear about projects that promote the diversity, inclusivity and benefits that the park has to offer, and projects that aim to protect the park for this and future generations. Often, these projects fly under the radar – but we want to shine a light on the good work that people doing – and urge others to play a part in the protection of our landscape.
Nominees can enter anyone in as many of the seven categories as they like:
Sustainable Business of the Year
Do you know a business that champions local producers, creates local jobs, or has taken steps towards becoming net zero carbon?
Community Champion
Help us recognise community groups, charities, schools or organisations that go above and beyond to help their local community.
This could include a service for vulnerable members of the community, an urban nature initiative, fundraising group to protect community services or facilities, or charity that brings together local people to prevent isolation within rural communities, promotes inclusivity, or co-creates a sense of place and belonging within South Pennines Park.
Wellbeing Champion
Has someone made a difference to mental health and wellbeing in your South Pennines Park community?
This could be through a walking group or outdoor yoga session, or maybe someone who leads an allotment scheme, or helps to raise awareness of the impact nature can have on your mental health and wellbeing to the wider community?
Recognise an individual or group of people who go out of their way to make others feel better, through the use of South Pennines Park’s remarkable landscape and nature.
Green Legacy Award
Do you know an organisation that champions education and training for green skills?
We are looking to celebrate those that are helping to protect the long-term future of the park through the delivery of green skills training programmes – such as dry stone walling techniques, sustainable agriculture or species protection.
Nature Recovery Award
This award is for an organisation that has implemented, or is continuing, a nature recovery initiative within the South Pennines Park – physical boots on the ground doing great work!
The landscape management projects could range innovative approaches to sustainable land management such as peat restoration, regenerative wildlife projects, tree planting or sustainable agriculture. It could also be someone who has helped to raise awareness of key climate issues such as the prevention of wildfires.
Young Nature Champion of the Year
Celebrating a generation of nature champions, this award recognises young people who have designed projects that aim to protect, enhance and raise awareness of our natural world.
This award can be for groups of children or individuals.
From urban planting, animal protection, recycling champions, climate activism to nature educators – share stories of young people across the South Pennines Park who are protecting our natural world.
Creative Champion of the Year
Nominate someone who champions the culture, landscape, and wildlife of the South Pennines Park. Through photography, art, movement and dance, theatre, poetry or creative writing – help us recognise individuals who capture, narrate and illustrate the park for generations to come.
Special Recognition Award
This award will be selected by the Judges and presented to an individual, group or business who recognises South Pennines Park’s distinctive natural, built and cultural assets.
The winners will be announced at the awards event at The Piece Hall in Halifax on May 26. We’d like to thank our sponsors Halifax BID and The Piece Hall, Halifax for helping to make the event possible.
Thank you to each and every person who has nominated someone. Please keep an eye on our social media for details of the winners.
Photos: Karol Wyszynski