How green is your school? CPRE is looking for eco-friendly projects

Schools across Berkshire are being invited to take part in CPRE’s award scheme for environmental conservation projects. Held every two years, the Dorothy Morley Conservation Award reflects the aspirations of a dedicated conservationist, Dorothy Morley, who died in 1995. She was a strong campaigner on rural issues, Chairman of Newbury & Hungerford District CPRE and served on the West Berkshire committee of the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT).

The biennial award scheme was created by CPRE Berkshire in her memory, made possible by the generosity of her family. Says CPRE Berkshire Chairman, Greg Wilkinson, “Dorothy Morley believed in protecting the living environment as a means of improving the quality of life for all, not only as key elements for a sustainable future but also building a strong sense of community and partnership in both towns and villages. CPRE Berkshire is proud to promote these awards.”

CPRE exists to promote the beauty, tranquillity and diversity of rural England by encouraging the sustainable use of land other natural resources in town and country. CPRE focuses on finding positive solutions for the long-term future of the countryside. Greg Wilkinson explains: “School projects entered for the Dorothy Morley Conservation Awards should ideally involve the widest participation of pupils, teachers and parents. The only constraint is that the project must address environmental conservation. The size of the project is unimportant.”

Examples of the types of projects that CPRE would like to see entered for an award are:

• Sustainable living, e.g. waste recycling, litter projects, tree planting.
• Surveys, studies and other projects that promote environmental conservation.
• Partnership projects bringing together town and country.
• Promoting organic and local food, fruit and vegetables.
• Creating or developing school gardens.
• Creating or maintaining sustainable accessible environments for wildlife or wild flowers, which can be enjoyed by the community.

But CPRE is open to any project suggestions from schools that promote environmental responsibility and nature conservation. For further details, please contact Gloria Keene MBE, Branch Secretary, CPRE Berkshire, Englefield Estate Office Annexe, Englefield, Theale, Berkshire RG7 5DZ, email cpreberkshire@btopenworld.com.

-ENDS