Guernsey Conservation Volunteers have become the first Bailiwick charity to receive the King’s Award for Voluntary Service.
It has been working to conserve the island’s natural environment, often through groups to remove non-native invasive species from the landscape, since 1996.
Parties of volunteers venture out every Wednesday morning, and alternating Saturday mornings, to work on various sites. The team have removed over 250 tonnes of Sour Fig and are currently working to eradicate Stinking Onions from Bluebell Wood.
Now It is among 231 other British charities and social enterprises to be recognised with the award by His Majesty King Charles III this year.
The award is the highest national recognition for voluntary organisations, with recipients announced each year on the King’s birthday.
Representatives from GCV will receive a crystal award and certificate from His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor, Lieutenant General Richard Cripwell CB CBE – and two volunteers will attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace next year.
Over 200 volunteers have assisted the group this year including regular members, school groups, and business representatives.
Angela Salmon, Operations Director at GCV, paid tribute to “all the volunteers over many, many years who have given their time to support our small, local charity.”
Ms Salmon added that “this Award is the highest recognition for our volunteers and supporters and it will be with great pride that our group continues its important conservation work.
“Receiving this award is a huge honour and we hope it will further raise awareness and the profile of conservation needs in our island and of the value of volunteering.”
His Excellency said the award “represents the gold standard of volunteering” and called the charity “a dynamic, collaborative and well-run charity that’s admirably aligned with His Majesty’s priorities of climate and community.
“Its focus is firmly on action rather than words, which delivers very real benefits to the Bailiwick’s natural environment and the wellbeing of islanders. I’ve seen for myself the good that they do and I am absolutely delighted for these outstanding volunteers.”
30 Bailiwick charities have been honoured with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service since it was established in 2003.