The Telegraph announces wildlife friendly farming award partnership

The Telegraph and the RSPB have joined forces to recognise the efforts of the countrys most dedicated wildlife friendly farmers.

The newspaper has announced sponsorship of the annual Nature of Farming Award, which is given to the UK farmer who does the most to protect threatened wildlife on their land. The award is the largest of its kind and is run by the RSPB with support from Butterfly Conservation and Plantlife International.

The new RSPB Telegraph Nature of Farming Awards are to be unveiled at a reception at the Oxford Farming Conference attended by European agriculture commissioner Dacian Ciolos.

For the first time the competition will include a Commendation award. This will be given to those farmers who have shown a true dedication to the wildlife on their farm. As well as recognising their hard work the Commendation will help farmers promote their business to the industry and the wider public.

Mark Avery, RSPB director of conservation, said: We are really pleased to be working with The Telegraph on this award. With excellent coverage of rural affairs and the environment they are ideally placed to raise the profile of our winners whose hard work is helping bring the life back to our countryside.

I have always said that farmers hold the key to reversing the declines of threatened farmland birds, wildflowers, insects and other wildlife. We launched these awards three years ago to highlight the amazing work we see taking place all year round in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland by the unspoken heroes of our countryside.

There can only be one overall winner, but I hope that the addition of the Commendation award this year will give due recognition to those farmers who make a stand for wildlife in some way.

A spokesperson for The Telegraph, said: We are delighted to be part of these awards in 2011. Farmers are the custodians of our countryside and those who work extra hard to protect the nature on their land deserve our admiration and gratitude.

The 2011 awards are now open and nominations are being accepted. For more information and an entry form visit www.rspb.org.uk/farmvote or call 0870 601 0215.

The awards are supported by the Life+ Programme is the EUs financial instrument supporting environmental and nature conservation projects throughout the EU.

The 2010 Nature of Farming Award was won by the Davison Brothers of Antrim, Northern Ireland who captured the public vote with their work to protect the habitats of lapwing, curlew, red grouse and Irish hare.