Earth Trust Volunteers Win BBC Make a Difference Award

Earth Trust’s incredible volunteer community has been recognised with a prestigious Environmental Award at the BBC Radio Oxford Make a Difference Awards 2026.

The award celebrates the remarkable contribution volunteers make to caring for our landscapes, wildlife and communities across Oxfordshire. Together, Earth Trust volunteers have given more than 21,500 hours of their time to support conservation, education and community programmes across the 530 hectares of land we care for.

From helping manage grasslands, woodlands and wetlands to supporting children’s learning, administration and creative projects, volunteers are at the heart of everything we do. Their dedication helps us care for the extraordinary landscape around Wittenham Clumps and our network of community nature reserves across the county.

The award was accepted on behalf of the volunteer community by Nicola Frost, Earth Trust’s Volunteering and People Manager, alongside volunteers Tan Ridgway and Julia Hurley, at a ceremony held at the University of Oxford’s Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities on 15 September.

Nicola said:

“Our volunteer community has grown from strength to strength, increasing from around 50 people to 300 over the last seven years. They support every part of Earth Trust’s work, from conservation and land management to education and community engagement. We’re incredibly proud of everything they achieve and delighted to see their commitment recognised with this award.”

BBC make a difference awards win

 

BBC make a difference awards win

The BBC Make a Difference Awards celebrate people who go above and beyond to improve lives and strengthen communities. We are thrilled to see our volunteers receive this well-deserved recognition.

Thank you to every member of our volunteer community. This award belongs to all of you.

Interested in volunteering?

Whether you can spare a few hours a month or are looking for a regular opportunity to connect with nature, we’d love to hear from you. Volunteers support a wide range of activities across Earth Trust, helping us create a greener, healthier future for people and nature.

Find out more about volunteering with Earth Trust and how you can get involved.