The bat group recieved the following update from the BCT today:
Pete Guest Award 2021.
We are delighted to let you know that we are now accepting nominations for the Pete Guest Award 2021.
The Pete Guest Award is presented annually to individuals who have made an outstanding practical contribution to bat conservation. The award is presented in memory of Pete Guest, who was an inspirational figure in bat conservation for more than 20 years. Details of the award are on the BCT website at: https://www.bats.org.uk/our-work/awards/pete-guest-award.
The criteria for the award include dedication, innovation, enthusiasm and inspiration in making a difference, both to bats and to people, and helping make BCT’s vision become a reality. Previous winners can be seen on the webpage above.
Nominating someone for the 2021 award
- If you would like to nominate a fellow bat worker for the 2021 award, please email their name, bat group or organisation and importantly a statement of support (see note below) to Abby Packham at batgroups@bats.org.uk. Please also include your name and bat group in the email.
Please note: Nominations cannot be accepted without a statement of at least 250 words on why you think the person deserves the award (relating back to the criteria stated above). Last year’s statements of support can be seen here as examples: https://bit.ly/3hJ2ORN.
- Deadline for nominations: By 9am on Monday 12th July 2021.
Voting for a winner
A list of nominees and supporting statements will be circulated to all bat groups and posted on the BCT website by 16th July 2021. Voting will be done through an online form and is limited to one vote per person. Voting will close at 9am on 27th August 2021.
Announcement of Winner
The award winner will be formally announced at the Bat Workers Forum on 14th September 2021 (see more information below).
Please note the option of postal nominations (and voting) have been removed this year due to remote working.
Bat Worker’s Forum and National Bat Conference 2021
As you may have seen in the May bulletin, following feedback regarding the changes made in 2020, we have decided to host the National Bat Conference and Bat Worker’s Forum online again this year. We have also moved the National Bat Conference to later in the year to fall outside of the peak survey season. Neither event is available to book yet, but you can find further details online at:
- Bat Workers Forum – 14th September 2021
https://www.bats.org.uk/our-work/conferences-symposia/national-bat-conference/annual-bat-workers-forum (including the minutes from previous forums, example agenda and terms of reference).
- National Bat Conference – 29th – 31st October 2021
https://www.bats.org.uk/our-work/conferences-symposia/national-bat-conference
Please register your interest to be keep up to date with developments here: https://bit.ly/3f7OOPN.