Tony Juniper receives Rothschild Award

For vision and leadership in conservation

14th November, 2009

Environmentalist Tony Juniper is the first to receive a unique and prestigious award, created by The Wildlife Trusts - in honour of conservation pioneer, Charles Rothschild, and his daughter, Miriam.

Today (Saturday 14 November 2009), Juniper - one of the UK’s best known environmentalists - will be awarded The Charles Rothschild and Miriam Rothschild medal by Charles Rothschild’s great granddaughter, Beth Rothschild. He will receive the medal in front of 250 members of the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust in Oxford.

Special guests include The Wildlife Trusts’ president Professor Aubrey Manning, TV presenter and naturalist Nick Baker, Julian Pettifer, Sir Henry Aubrey-Fletcher and Professor Dieter Helm.

On being nominated for the medal, Tony said: “I am absolutely delighted to receive this medal. Charles Rothschild was a real visionary and it is a great honour to be recognised with an award that is in his name and that of his campaigning daughter.”

The Wildlife Trusts’ chief executive, Stephanie Hilborne said: “Tony truly has achieved great things over the past three decades through his campaigning, writing and advisory work. We are delighted to formally recognise him as one of our most inspirational environmentalists and celebrate his efforts and achievements.”

Earlier this year, The Wildlife Trusts canvassed for nominations for The Charles Rothschild and Miriam Rothschild medal which recognises outstanding achievements in the promotion, study, management or conservation of the natural environment.

Speaking about the launch of the medal, Stephanie Hilborne, said: “It is fitting for a new award to be created in the Rothschilds’ memory as The Wildlife Trusts push forward with one of the most ambitious environmental approaches in 100 years.

“Charles Rothschild founded the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts (originally the Society for the Promotion of Nature Reserves). He had a vision for the countryside that was ahead of its time: the protection of the UK’s most important wildlife-rich areas as nature reserves. He was a man of action and of great persuasive powers.

Tony Juniper has shown that same vision and leadership from the outset of his career and, as such, has inspired so many people.”
She continued: “Now, once again, the people behind The Wildlife Trusts are breaking new ground – working with landowners, politicians, businesses and the wider community to pursue our vision of A Living Landscape.

“Landscape-scale conservation is becoming a reality. There are now more than 100 Living Landscape schemes being developed - as far afield as the Great Fen in Hunts, Pumlumon in the heart of Wales and Druridge Bay on the Northumberland coast.”

Story by RSWT

More Information

For further information please contact:

• Anna Guthrie, media & PR manager, on 01636 670075 / 07887 754659 aguthrie@wildlifetrusts.org, or
• Tanya Perdikou, media & campaigns officer, on 01636 670057 / 07887 754657 or tperdikou@wildlifetrusts.org

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