Mercia wins its eighth Gold conservation award

MERCIA MARINA has won a Gold conservation award for the eighth year in a row from Professor David Bellamy.

Plus other special awards for its wild flowers and work to protect honey bees.

Consecutive Gold Awards

The marina is one of only 18 venues in the UK to have won eight consecutive Gold awards in the annual David Bellamy Conservation Award Scheme, which is a special accolade that is given to parks in recognition of work to protect and enhance the natural world across Britain. (Photograph credit Nathan Anderson-Dixon.)

As well as a the Gold award the marina has been commended for its wild flower habitat and been deemed to be a Honey Bee Friendly Park for its volunteer-led Save our Bees project.

Going from strength to strength

Professor Bellamy sent his personal congratulations to the marina, commenting:

“I’d like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to you and your team for all the hard work you’ve put in. I am pleased that your nature society is going from strength to strength. Well done to all involved. Of all the other wonderful projects you’ve put in place, I am particularly impressed by the fact that you work to mitigate the environmental impact of any new developments.”

Robert Neff, General Manager of Mercia Marina, enthused:

“We are absolutely delighted for everyone involved with the marina to have picked up a gold award for the eighth year running.

“We are committed to improving habitats and encouraging wildlife to thrive across the marina and this is just one of the reasons that we attract so many visitors. We’re also pleased to have been recognised specifically for our wild flower meadows at the marina and the work of our volunteers in boosting the honey bee population.”

Recognises work to protect environment

The conservation award scheme, co-founded by Professor Bellamy in conjunction with British Holiday & Home Parks Association, recognises holiday parks for work they have done to protect or enhance the natural environment or wildlife.

It awards Bronze, Silver and Gold accreditations and analyses everything from planting schemes and wildlife management to waste recycling, light pollution and the cleanliness of toilets.