The Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) is the leading professional membership body representing and supporting ecologists and environmental managers. Its award scheme is all about recognising positive environmental and conservation impacts across the country.

The Countess of Chester County Park was honoured with a Highly Commended NGO (Non-governmental organisation) Impact prize at the recent Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM).

Since being opened to the public by the Duchess of Cornwall last September, the Upton-based site, next to the Countess of Chester Hospital, has already proved popular with residents, visitors, staff members and users of the hospitals.

The Avenue Washlands Nature Reserve received a top award from the British Trust for Ornithology in March 2011.

The nature reserve has been awarded first prize in the Community Category for Land Management sites in the BTO-EDF Energy Business Birds Challenge 2010, which aims to find the best business sites for birds, conservation and people in the UK

The Green Flag Award® Scheme recognises and rewards the best green spaces.

Weetslade Country Park, just north of Gosforth Park, is one of the best in the country – officially recognised by a Green Flag Award in July 2011.

Remarkably only five years go the park was a derelict pit tip on the former Weetslade Colliery. Last week the park received the Green Flag Award, a sign to visitors that the park is well-maintained and well-managed, with excellent facilities.

Weetslade Country Park is managed by the wildlife charity and its team of volunteers on behalf of the Land Trust. Developed on the former pit heap of Weetslade Colliery, the shallow sloping sides of the hill contain areas of grassland, scrub and woodland. At the foot of the slopes to the west side of the site there are three developing reed beds, home to many common damselflies and dragonflies. Many birds are present on the site such as grey partridge, meadow pipit and skylark.

Each year, CIWEM’s diverse range of awards honour projects and people making outstanding contributions to environmental management, whilst the Young Members’ Award gives us a glimpse into the future of the profession.

Beam Parklands was recognised as a multi-functional project that demonstrates the sustainable use of wetland habitats by CIWEM’s Living Wetlands Award in July 2011.

Emily Holmes, the Community Ranger at Bentley Community Woodland, won a Doncaster Environment Award as the individual who has contributed most to improving and protecting her local environment.

Emily is one of a team of Forestry Commission rangers working work on six community woodlands in South Yorkshire with the support of the Land Trust. Emily works predominately at Bentley Community Woodland.