Criteria
Sites, individuals and publications should:
- Have nature conservation (wildlife and/or biological sciences) in urban areas as a main objective. Statutory Local Nature Reserves fit the bill excellently but sites do not have to be LNR’s.
- Have a major element of at least two of: curriculum-based environmental education; site interpretation (informal education); enjoyment of natural features by local people; acting as a focus for nature clubs or other environmentally focused social activities; art and environment.
- Have reasonable facilities for visitors, ideally a centre building, but certainly basic signs, paths, and sufficient information available to give a sound basis for a descriptive leaflet and site map (if none already exist). Sites should be either accessible by public transport or have somewhere that cars can be left nearby so visitors are not inconvenienced.
- Involve the local authority, Wildlife Trust or other reputable organisation capable of giving project stability and efficient back-up and ideally, local residents, schools and organisations. The involvement of central government departments or agencies, regional government, national or regional organisations, colleges or universities and business or industry would be bonuses.
- Have a reasonable plan of site management, history of the project and other details of the site and project available and accessible to anyone wanting more detailed information.. Since an objective is to help others learn the project organisers must be prepared to be frank to serious enquirers about any problems encountered or mistakes made.
- Have a guaranteed continuity of at least 10 years from the present in terms of both security of tenure and site management. We do not want a rapid turnover of sites.
- Be of high quality in terms of their social or educational uses and or their nature conservation values. These are UK flagship projects and should reflect this.
There is no financial award from the Urban Forum. However, it would be prepared to support applications for grant aid or sponsorship.
Assessment Process
Introduction
The UK MAB Urban Wildlife Award for Excellence is an award for wildlife related projects linked to human settlements and urbanisation.
The UK MAB Urban Wildlife Award for Excellence is a UK contribution towards the international Man and Biosphere Project on Urban Areas, as such, it is part of a UNESCO family of special awards such as World Heritage Sites and Biosphere Reserves.
What is the Award’s purpose?
The aim of the Award is to help humanity learn from projects, publications, sites and people who have made significant, valuable or innovative contributions to:
- Promoting positive contact between people and wildlife;
- Maintaining and enhancing the quality of peoples lives;
- Furthering the understanding of the links between people and wildlife; or
- Reconciling people and nature in human settlements.
The Award may recognise: the first example of a new technique; a particularly well-prepared publication that is likely to lead to changes in practice at a national, or regional level; a site where innovative approaches were taken to overcome a problem; or a person who has brought about change for the better through the application of new ideas. The Award is definitely not about giving recognition to ‘perfect’ projects, places, publications or people. It is certainly about recognising important examples, with all their flaws and failures, that can help us all learn how to do things better in future. In short, if something or someone has an important ‘story’ to tell, they may be considered for an Award.
Criteria for making the Award
Candidates should:
- Have nature conservation (wildlife and/or biologicalscience) in urban areas as a main objective.
- Have an interesting story to tell related to people and wildlife in urban areas.
- Have key individuals willing to tell that story to others e.g. through meeting visitors, contributing to articles or papers etc.
- Where site based, have reasonable facilities for visitors, such as basic signs, paths and sufficient information (leaflets or information boards).
What activities could be considered for an Award?
The Award will celebrate stories relating to:
- Community involvement/ management of sites or resources.
- Extending our knowledge/understanding of wildlife and people in urban areas.
- Increasing the extent or effectiveness of community participation.
- Trying out new ideas.
- Landmark events or programmes in urban nature conservation.
- Unusual partnerships supporting wildlife in urban areas.
- Excellent environmental art projects in urban areas.
Assessment process
Assessor:
Date:
Year of application:
Name of Project:
Grid Ref:
Project Contact:
Address:
Tel:
Email:
Website:
Key Words Describing Project:
Brief Description of Project: (Size, general characteristics, spatial characteristics, brief history, current status, etc.).
Special Features of the Project (the story: purpose, special features, management, future plans, etc.).
Problems experienced? (any problems and what is being done about them).
Access: (inclusivity, footpaths, car-parks, etc.).
Issues and recommendations: (justification of the award, value of the award).
Award Recommended: (Decision, including any recommendations).
Citation: (for the award certificate).