MOD Sanctuary Awards: Nigel Lewis receives Silver Otter

Maj (Retd) Nigel Lewis, from Sherrington, received the coveted Silver Otter after he was recognised at the Ministry of Defence’s (MOD’s) annual Sanctuary Awards for his volunteering on an MOD conservation project.

He also won the Individual Achievement Award.

The long-running awards, which celebrate their 33rd anniversary this year, showcase military and civilian efforts across Defence, both in the United Kingdom and abroad, to protect the environment and drive sustainability and conservation in the MOD.

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The 33rd Sanctuary Awards ceremony was held in Portsmouth and live-streamed to an online audience.

The Silver Otter Trophy is awarded annually to the best Conservation Group-led project or individual conservation effort on the MOD estate and was awarded to Nigel in recognition of his remarkable commitment to the MOD Owl and Raptor Project, which he established in 1983.

Nigel Lewis with several ringed barn owl chicks (Image: Richard Clayton)

For four decades, Nigel and a team of volunteers have been working to monitor tawny owls, barn owls, little owls and kestrels across the MOD’s Salisbury Plain Training Area.

The team installs nest boxes and carries out checks on the birds, ringing chicks and recording their size and weight, helping to protect the birds.

The project as a whole won the Silver Otter in 2014 but this year Nigel won as an individual thanks to his many years of dedicated service.

Winners and runners-up were presented with their awards by Rear Admiral Paul Beattie, Director Naval Staff, and James Clare, the MOD’s Director of Levelling Up, the Union, Climate Change and Sustainability (LUCCS).

Senior representatives from across the MOD were in attendance to help celebrate the successes.

Richard Brooks, principal environmental manager for the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), which runs the awards, said: "DIO is committed to being as sustainable and environmentally forward-thinking as possible, supporting efforts to protect and enhance habitats across our diverse estate, reduce emissions and drive down our carbon footprint.

"The Sanctuary Awards and Sanctuary Magazine recognise the incredible work being undertaken by MOD personnel, Defence industry suppliers and partnerships with external environmental organisations in stewardship, climate change and sustainability.

"Well done to all of the winners and thank you for your contribution to making Defence greener."

Dr Alexandra Howe, deputy director, levelling up, the union, climate change and sustainability, in the MOD, said: "The standard of this year’s remarkable nominees and award winners, shows that Defence has both the ambition and talent needed to drive fundamental change.

"I was excited to be part of this year’s award ceremony and would encourage people from across the force to use these impressive examples as inspiration to build in sustainability."

Readers can see the full list of Sanctuary Award winners and learn more about the MOD’s sustainable development and conservation activities here: gov.uk/government/publications/sanctuary