Local school children win accolades for their nature conservation projects

Berkshire schoolchildren have been praised for their “amazing projects” to promote biodiversity, nature conservation and sustainable food production, with schools in Newbury, Thatcham and Reading winning top prizes in the Dorothy Morley Conservation Awards 2026.

The Dorothy Morley Conservation Awards are organised by the Berkshire Branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE). The awards scheme was set up in honour of local conservationist Dorothy Morley who was a dedicated member of CPRE for many years.

This year’s competition saw entries coming in from schools in all six boroughs and districts in Berkshire – showing how much children and teachers throughout the Royal County care about the natural environment and biodiversity.

Pupils from St Bartholomew’s School in Newbury have won First Prize for their long-term Nature Reserve project. This project has included planting hedgerows, wildflower meadows and an orchard in the school grounds, as well as creating accessible pathways through the reserve, installing swift boxes, and restoring the school pond. Since the school’s Nature Reserve project began, over 700 wildlife species have been recorded on the reserve and logged on the national biodiversity database.

Second Prize this year was shared by Calcot Primary School in Reading and Curridge Primary School in Thatcham.

Calcot’s pupils have been improving their scientific knowledge by growing their own fruit and vegetables in the school garden, learning all about soil conditions, crop rotation, and seasonal fruit and vegetables. They have planted over 100 trees and grown a wealth of potatoes, courgettes and spring onions!

Curridge pupils won their prize for their hedgehog project – building hedgehog homes and ‘bug hotels’, learning all about hedgehogs and spreading the word about how endangered these prickly creatures have become in this country.

Children were presented with their prizes by CPRE Berkshire President Willie Hartley Russell MVO DL, His Majesty’s Deputy-Lieutenant for Berkshire and a former High Sheriff of the Royal County, and Patrick Griffin, Vice-Chairman of CPRE Berkshire, at a ceremony at Englefield Village Hall. Afterwards, children and their teachers and parents enjoyed a delicious buffet lunch provided by Englefield Tea Rooms.

The First Prize winners received £1,000 for their school and the two Second Prize winner £500 each. Certificates were presented to all the finalists. CPRE believes that the Dorothy Morley Conservation Awards help to encourage long-term collaboration between Berkshire schools and local communities on projects for environmental conservation.

Established in 1926 (and celebrating its centenary in two years’ time), CPRE Berkshire exists to protect, promote and enhance the countryside and natural environment of the Royal County. The National Patron of CPRE is His Majesty King Charles III.

-ENDS