The winners of the 2016 UK Awards for Biological Recording and Information Sharing were announced at the National Museums Scotland, Edinburgh during an evening ceremony on Thursday 17th November 2016.

These awards have been developed by the National Biodiversity Network, the National Forum for Biological Recording and the Biological Records Centre. They run annually and their intention is to recognise and celebrate the outstanding contributions made by adults, young people and groups to biological recording, which is helping to improve our understanding of the UK’s wildlife.

2016 Awards

Following its success in 2015, on Thursday 17th November 2016, we will again be holding an evening reception for the UK Awards for Biological Recording and Information Sharing.  This will be held at the National Museums Scotland between 6 and 7.15 PM.  Drinks and nibbles will be served during the event and there are a number of restaurants available locally for dining afterwards.

We are delighted that Swarovski Optik UK will once again be sponsoring these awards. We are also pleased to announce that Paramo will be involved with sponsorship this year too.

Download the Awards Programme 2016

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In 2016 there are five award categories which receive nominations:

  • the Gilbert White Youth Award for terrestrial and freshwater wildlife
  • the Gilbert White Adult Award for terrestrial and freshwater wildlife
  • the David Robertson Youth Award for marine and coastal wildlife
  • the David Robertson Adult Award for marine and coastal wildlife
  • the Lynne Farrell Group Award

There is also the John Sawyer NBN Open Data Award which is presented annually, by the NBN Trust, to a member of the NBN who is making the greatest contribution to open biodiversity data in the UK.

The winners in 2016

These are as follows:

Gilbert White youth award

George Garnett
Information on George Garnett

Download photos of George receiving his award

George featured in the January 2017 issue of BBC Wildlife magazine in the My Agenda column.  Read George’s interview for My Agenda below.

Gilbert White adult award

Richard Comont
Information on Richard Comont

Download photos of Richard receiving his award

Gilbert White – Highly commended

The Awards’ Committee wanted to recognise a further individual in the Gilbert White category for the work they are carrying out.

Mark Pritchard
Information on Mark Pritchard

Download photos of Julia Simons from Lancashire Wildlife Trust accepting the award on Mark’s behalf

David Robertson youth award

Jordan Havell
Information on Jordan Havell

Download photos of Jordan receiving his award

David Robertson adult award

Chris Wood
Information on Chris Wood

Download photos of Chris receiving his award

Lynne Farrell Award

Essex Wildlife Trusts River Wardens
Information on The River Wardens

Download photos of EWT River Wardens, Mary Taylor and Laura Millar, receiving the award

The River wardens featured in the February 2017 issue of BBC Wildlife magazine in the My Agenda column.  Read Mary Tayler’s interview for My Agenda below.

River Wardens in BBC Wildlife
River Wardens in BBC Wildlife

John Sawyer NBN Open Data award

Caledonian Conservation Limited
Information on Caledonian Conservation Limited.

Download photos of Chris Cathrine, accepting this award on behalf of Caledonian Conservation Limited.

All the winners

Download photos of all the winners together

Response to the Awards

Professor Michael Hassell, Chairman of the National Biodiversity Network said:
“The painstaking work that individual and groups of biological recorders undertake over many years is all too often not publicly recognised.  We wanted to correct that, and celebrate the outstanding contributions that British biological recorders have made to improving our understanding of wildlife in the UK.”

Peter Antoniou, Country Manager, UK & Rep of Ireland of Swarovski Optik UK said:
“Swarovski Optik UK is very proud to be sponsoring these awards.  Our brand embodies superior precision and uncompromising quality, which are characteristics that the best biological recorders share.  Our products help make observing nature a joy, allowing people to see the unseen.”

Thank you to our sponsors

The Awards’ ceremony was kindly sponsored by Swarovski Optik UK.

The Gilbert White Terrestrial Awards were sponsored by Swarovski Optik UK.

The David Robertston marine and coastal awards were sponsored by Paramo Directional Clothing.

The Group Award was sponsored by The Field Studies Council

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George Garnett receiving his award from The Earl of Selborne
Richard receiving his award from The Earl of Selborne
Richard receiving his award from The Earl of Selborne
Julia Simons receiving the award on behalf of Mark Pritchard
Julia Simons receiving the award on behalf of Mark Pritchard
Jordan receiving the award from the Earl of Selborne
Jordan receiving the award from the Earl of Selborne
Chris receiving his award from the Earl of Selborne
Chris receiving his award from the Earl of Selborne
Mary Taylor and Laura Millar receiving the award from Lynne Farrell
Mary Taylor and Laura Millar receiving the award from Lynne Farrell
Chris Cathrine receiving the award from Michael Hassell
Chris Cathrine receiving the award from Michael Hassell
All the winners
All the winners