News Item (09-10-2009)

Biffaward is managed by the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts (RSWT), which utilises landfill tax credits donated by Biffa Waste Services. Since 1997, Biffaward has awarded over £100 million in funding to hundreds environmental and community projects across the UK.

The award followed a £17,383 grant from Biffaward which helped the Somerset Wildlife Trust to protect the rare horseshoe bat species, and help stabilise their populations at Harridge Woods Nature Reserve complex in Somerset. This project has provided additional roosting sites, extended the range of habitats, monitored the bat populations, and improved public access and information throughout the complex.

On receiving the prize, Adel Avery from the Somerset Wildlife Trust commented, "We're obviously thrilled to have received such a great award. It's taken a lot of hard work from volunteers to secure the site for the Bats but the area is now thriving. The reserve is the ideal location to help preserve the future of the bats and provides a great source of education. The funding boost will help us continue our work and provide a safe haven for the bats for years to come. We owe a lot to Biffaward and are honoured to accept this award."

Gillian French, Programme Manager for Biffaward, commented, "The Biffaward Awards are a celebration of the outstanding Biffaward-funded projects and the commitment and determination shown by their project co-ordinators. Somerset Wildlife Trust beat stiff competition to win this coveted award and the thoroughly deserve to be crowned winners. Their project shows how truly important it is to preserve environmental spaces for future generations and Biffaward are proud to have been able to support this."