Volunteer Coordinator Sheila Lyons said, “We have worked hard to review and improve our processes and the quality of our volunteer management, and we are thrilled to receive this award which recognises our efforts.

“We want to ensure that our volunteers have the best possible experience with us, and that everyone who generously donates their time to supporting nature conservation feels welcomed, included, supported and valued.”

Molly Campbell, volunteer placement student, said, ‘I have benefitted beyond belief from my time volunteering with Ulster Wildlife. What I really enjoy is meeting like-minded people to learn from and gaining knowledge and training from experts in the field. I will be forever thankful for the step up this experience has given me and my career.’

From helping to maintain nature reserves and native oyster nurseries, to recording peatland wildlife and supporting the membership team in the office, volunteers are at the heart of everything that Ulster Wildlife does.

Sheila added, “The charity’s conservation work would not be possible without our volunteers’ passion and dedication to nature.”

Find out more about volunteering with Ulster Wildlife: https://www.ulsterwildlife.org/volunteer