Foxglove Covert Local Nature Reserve in Catterick Garrison have been honoured with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK.
Representatives of Foxglove Covert LNR will receive the Award crystal and certificate from Johanna Ropner, Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire later this summer.
Two volunteers from the group will attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in May 2022, along with other recipients of this year’s award.
Chair of the reserve’s management group, Lesley Garbutt, acknowledged the importance of receiving the QAVS award.
“Having been a volunteer at Foxglove Covert myself for the past thirteen years I know how dedicated and hard-working our volunteers are.
“Without them Foxglove Covert would not be what it is today, and I am so pleased that they have been recognised by Her Majesty the Queen.”
The reserve is home to more than 2,600 species of plants and animals and is open for everyone to visit despite being behind the wire at the garrison.
Volunteers at Foxglove Covert come from all walks of life including local schools, military personnel and people who live nearby and have a love for nature.
Often described as the MBE for voluntary groups, The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service aims to recognise outstanding work by volunteer groups to benefit their local communities.
It was created in 2002 to celebrate The Queen’s Golden Jubilee. Recipients are announced each year on 2nd June, the anniversary of The Queen’s Coronation. Award winners this year are wonderfully diverse.
