Fwd: Mendip Hills National Landscape Press Release – Friday 12/1/2024

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The Mendip Hills National Landscape Team have announced Penny White as their Volunteer of the Year for 2023. Penny was chosen because of her dedication to and enthusiasm for the Mendip Hills and all of the work done by the National Landscape volunteers.

 

Penny has been volunteering for a number of years and is currently a regular at the weekly Nature Recovery task days, part of the drystone walling group and has recently become a full member of the National Landscape’s Volunteer Ranger team, where with our team of nearly 40 rangers, she will play a key role in promoting and protecting Mendip as well as being the first point of contact for many visitors to the area.

 

Andy Chamberlain, Ranger for the National Landscape Team, said, ‘It’s a great pleasure to present the award to Penny. She loves the area and has really thrown herself into looking after it. She’s become a really experienced drystone waller and comes out every Thursday with us. She recently won the walling competition at the Mendip Ploughing Match! The drystone walling volunteers are working hard to restore these iconic features of the Mendip Hills whilst promoting this traditional Mendip craft to anyone who passes by. The National Landscape volunteers had a busy 2023 and are looking forward to an equally packed 2024.’

 

The Nature Recovery volunteers meet weekly, undertaking a wide range of tasks designed to enhance and protect the landscape and the species that call it home. Tasks include coppicing, grassland maintenance, scrub clearing and much more. But volunteers also get involved in surveys and monitoring of wildlife and visitors, plus special projects to build bat and bird nest boxes.

To find out more about volunteering with The Mendip Hills National Landscape Team, visit www.mendiphills-nl.org.uk/volunteering or call 01761 462338.

 

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The Mendip Hills National Landscape in recognition of its special qualities was designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in 1972 and covers 198 square kilometres. One of 46 National Landscapes in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, these nationally protected landscapes are managed through local Partnerships on behalf of the nation.

Mendip Hills National Landscape Partnership is responsible for coordinating the management of the Mendip Hills National Landscape to conserve and enhance the natural beauty. The work of the Partnership is coordinated by the Mendip Hills National Landscape Team.