Charity shortlisted for top award over project to conserve Dales meadows

Clapham-based charity Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust (YDMT) has been shortlisted in the national Charity Awards 2012.

It has been shortlisted from hundreds of entries in the environment and conservation category alongside just two other charities.

It has been selected for its Hay Time project which ran in the Yorkshire Dales from May 2006 to December 2011.

During this time the trust worked to conserve species-rich hay meadows, restored degraded meadows, enabled people to learn about the natural and cultural heritage of them, and trained people in meadow surveying and seed collecting.

Locally-harvested seed was added to 279 hay meadows in the Yorkshire Dales through the project, successfully enhancing the botanical diversity of the natural landscape.

Don Gamble, Hay Time project manager at YDMT, said: “Everyone involved in the Hay Time project is extremely proud of what we’ve achieved, so it’s really nice that the project has been recognised by such a well-respected institution as the Charity Awards.

“We are thrilled to have reached this stage of the proceedings. It really is an exciting time for our meadow restoration work, as we are also working on plans to extend the scheme in the Yorkshire Dales and also expand into the Forest of Bowland this summer, so watch this space!”

The charity is hoping to pick up the coveted award at a ceremony in London on June 14.

If it wins its category it will also be in the running to pick up the Overall Award for Excellence, which is selected from the 10 category winners.

Daniel Phelan, organiser of The Charity Awards said: “The rigorous judging process means that only the very best walk away with prizes, bestowing on them one of the highest accolades in the sector.

“In being shortlisted Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust has already demonstrated that it is amongst the best managed charities in the UK.”

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