Marsh Charitable Trust – Marsh National Park Nature Award

Marsh National Park Nature Award

Campaign for National Parks have been running their National Park Protector Awards since 2011 years and run a series of three Awards which recognise and reward the hard work of people at the heart of National Parks across the UK.

The MCT now supports the Marsh National Park Nature Award, which recognises the contribution of a group, project or initiative that has put nature at the heart of their work with the aim of protecting National Parks for the future.

National Park Protector Awards

Pictured: Kingsdale Head Farm, 2024 Award winner

< back

Prosiect Torgoch 2026

Prosiect Torgoch is an innovative conservation and engagement programme led by North Wales Rivers Trust to raise awareness of the Torgoch (Arctic charr), one of Wales’ rarest freshwater fish species and a unique part of Eryri National Park’s natural heritage. An Ice Age survivor, the Torgoch now survives in only a handful of deep glacial lakes in Eryri. The project combined scientific research, habitat restoration, education, art, storytelling and community engagement to reconnect people with this remarkable species and inspire long-term stewardship of Eryri’s freshwater ecosystems.

The project delivered significant conservation benefits across the Llyn Cwellyn catchment, including the creation and enhancement of almost 10 hectares of habitat, planting 1,000 trees and the removal of invasive species. It also generated new scientific evidence about the Arctic charr and the condition of freshwater habitats, helping to inform future conservation efforts. Alongside this, more than 1,200 people took part in workshops, walks, school activities and heritage events, while volunteers gained accredited conservation skills and established a long-term monitoring group that continues to support the species beyond the life of the project. By bringing together conservation, culture, science and community action, Prosiect Torgoch has created a lasting legacy for one of Eryri’s most iconic but overlooked species and helped inspire a new generation of freshwater champions.

Previous Winners

Kingsdale Head Farm – Yorkshire Dales

Catherine Bryan and Tim Yetman purchased Kingsdale Head farm in the Yorkshire Dales in 2020 with aim of increasing its biodiversity and carbon sequestration potential. They conducted thorough research to understand the current nature on the holding, in order to plan how best to proceed with increasing its biodiversity. They have used a biodiversity quality index form to assess the farm which provides information on how nature recovery is progressing. Since the purchase, they have restored 400 hectares of peat and planted 16 hectares of scrub woodland, with plans for more to follow. They have also reared a small herd of cattle which sensitively graze the moorland and help protect the landscape. Catherine and Tim have shared their vision with neighbouring farmers to try and encourage wider nature recovery and have contributed to the Three Dales Landscape Recovery project which is driving forward nature recovery at a wider scale. They have partnered with organisations that can support their ambition for nature recovery, including the Woodland Trust and the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority. Kingsdale Head farm is a key nature recovery area within the park and since undertaking a more nature focused approach to the management of the farm, they have seen huge changes in the wildlife and habitat condition.