Cambridge conservation area wins two accolades in one week

The conservation area at Cambridge University Press has won an award from the Wildlife Trust and has been highly commended in the same week by Business in the Community (BITC).

The conservation area - half an acre on Cambridge University Press's Shaftesbury Road site - was set up in January 2011 and since then staff volunteers have given over 350 hours to help conserve wildlife.

The area was set up as part of the Wildlife Trust's 'Living Landscapes' initiative, which aims to provide safe linking 'corridors' for wildlife in today's urban landscapes. 

Volunteers have helped by digging ponds, planting native plants and trees, building bird and bat nesting boxes, installing insect 'hotels' and log piles, and helping to monitor the increasing wildlife in the area. So far the conservation area has attracted 86 species.

Recent sightings include tree bumble bees (which have only been in this country from 2001), smooth newts, bank voles, soprano and common pipistrelle bats, and a possible new badger set nearby that the Cambridge Mammal Group are helping to confirm.

The conservation area has proved not only a valuable resource for local wildlife, but has been enjoyed by staff and the local community too; with public events like the 'Big Draw' held there, encouraging children to appreciate the wildlife around them through art.

Heidi Mulvey, Head of Community Engagement for Cambridge University Press, said: "We are thrilled to receive such praise from BITC and the Wildlife Trust. Our staff are so enthusiastic about the conservation area and this will only strengthen their commitment to helping wildlife. Staff also volunteer regularly on the Wildlife Trust reserves through our scheme where staff can each dedicate 7 work hours a year to volunteer."

Business in the Community awarded the work on the conservation area 'Highly Commended' in the Employee Volunteering Team of the Year Award at the East of England BITC awards on Tuesday, with the Wildlife Gardening at Work Award presented by the Wildlife Trust at their awards last night.

ENDS

Notes for Editors:

For further information and high-res images, please contact Vicky Westmore, Communications Officer at Cambridge University Press.

Telephone:               +44 (0)1223 326194

Email:                        press@cambridge.org

About Cambridge University Press


Cambridge University Press is the publishing business of the University of Cambridge. Dedicated to excellence, its purpose is to further the University's objective of advancing knowledge, education, learning, and research.

Its extensive peer-reviewed publishing lists comprise 45,000 titles covering academic research, professional development, over 300 research journals, school-level education, English language teaching and bible publishing.

Playing a leading role in today's international market place, Cambridge University Press has more than 50 offices around the globe, and it distributes its products to nearly every country in the world.

For more information, go to: www.cambridge.org

About the Wildlife Trust

The Wildlife Trust is a national charity that works for a better future for wildlife. It manages over 126 nature reserves covering over 5,500 acres all with free public access.

The Trust works to protect rare species (such as the otter, dormouse, great crested newt and barn owl) and fights to save sites where wildlife and the countryside are threatened.

The trust involves local people in every aspect of its work and encourages everyone to enjoy wildlife and wild places in both towns and the countryside.

This year the Wildlife Trust celebrates 100 years of working with wildlife.

For more information, go to: http://www.wildlifebcnp.org/

About Business in the Community

Business in the Community stands for responsible business. They are a business-led charity with a growing membership of 850 companies, from large multinational household names to small local businesses and public sector organisations.

They advise, support and challenge members to create a sustainable future for society and to improve business performance. 

Business in the Community is one of the Prince's Charities, a group of not-for-profit organisations of which The Prince of Wales is President.

For more information, go to: www.bitc.org.uk