Rochdale Field Naturalists shortlisted for national award

Members of Rochdale Field Naturalists' Society looking at grasses

Rochdale Field Naturalists' Society have been shortlisted in this year’s National Biodiversity Network (NBN) Awards for Wildlife Recording.

The NBN awards recognise and celebrate the outstanding contributions adults and young people are making to wildlife recording and data sharing, which is helping to improve our understanding of the UK’s biodiversity.

There are five groups shortlisted and the winners will be announced on Wednesday 18 November during the National Biodiversity Network Trust’s online conference – themed ‘The NBN at 20 – changing times’.

Rochdale Field Naturalists' Society were nominated in the Group sector by Greater Manchester Ecology Unit who were impressed that the group have sent in more than 100,000 records from the Rochdale area.

Paul Barrington, Biodiversity Data Manager, said: “These are very high-quality records, across all taxon groups and across a large geographical area. I cannot find the words to properly acknowledge the work the society has put in to get to where they are.

“It is not just the records either, it’s the gaining and retaining members, organising, and running events, investing in members, running conservation projects and the record digitisation, and sharing. Fantastic and a heartfelt well done.”

Rochdale Field Naturalists’ Society was originally founded in 1874 by a group of local people passionate about natural history. The aims of the society are to stimulate an interest in natural history in Rochdale and the surrounding area, to conserve the natural history of the area, and to educate others of all ages to do likewise.

You do not have to be an expert to join Rochdale Field Naturalists, all you need is an interest in wildlife. Find out more about the local group by visiting:

• www.rochdalefieldnaturalists.org.uk