Prestigious UK Award for County Antrim Conservation Project:
The Irish Grouse Conservation Trust (IGCT) received on the 4th February 2020 The Gold Award from the renown ‘Purdey Award for Game and Conservation’ for it’s work on Irish Red Grouse conservation at Glenwherry in the Antrim Hills.The Purdey Award judges commented 'The Irish Grouse Conservation Trust (is awarded the Gold Award) in recognition of their remarkable work in moorland management which allowed them to arrest and reverse the decline of the population of Irish Grouse.This project with it’s almost unique partnership with various stakeholders from charities to government organisations has increased the diversity of both habitat and species which has put it ahead of other leading conservation projects in the UK'.
The IGCT Chairman, Peter Mackie and keeper Alex Rodgers accepted the award, presented by the Duke of Wellington and Sir Nicholas Soames on behalf of IGCT at a reception in Apsley House,London. Peter said: ‘This is an extraordinary achievement and reflects the consistent hard work and dedication of all the partners over the last twelve years. It is certainly an award that we can all be very proud of.
Photo above: (left to right) : Dan Jago, Chairman and CEO of James Purdey and Sons; Peter Mackie, Chairman IGCT, Sir Nicholas Soames, Alex Rogers, IGCT Game Keeper and The Duke of Wellington.
