News story

2014 Sanctuary Award winners announced

The Ministry of Defence has announced the winners of its prestigious Sanctuary Awards.

• From: Ministry of Defence, Defence Infrastructure Organisation and The Rt Hon Anna Soubry
• Published: 15 October 2014

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

The winners of the 2014 Sanctuary Awards

The awards are handed out annually by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) to champion work that promotes environmental protection on or within land and property owned or used by the MOD.

This includes sustainable development, energy saving measures, wildlife, archaeology, environmental improvement or community awareness of conservation.

The 2014 Sanctuary Awards was divided into 5 categories. Each category winner was then considered for 2 further awards, the coveted Silver Otter trophy and the Sustainable Business Award.

Winners were presented with the awards by Defence Minister Anna Soubry and DIO Chief Executive Richard McCarthy at a ceremony at the MOD’s Main Building.

The Owl and Raptor Nest Box Project on Salisbury Plain Training Area won the Silver Otter and Environmental Project Award [Picture: Gordon Page copyright]

Anna Soubry said:

The Sanctuary Awards acknowledge the important work that goes on everyday across the defence estate to preserve wildlife and the environment.

They celebrate groups and individuals who not only strive to protect our heritage, but also, through realising efficiencies, help make savings for the British taxpayer.

Richard McCarthy added:

I was honoured to take part in this year’s Sanctuary Awards and to meet the people behind some of the fantastic projects which preserve and protect the defence estate.

DIO takes its role as a landowner very seriously and is proud to honour this important work which will enable and enhance future military capability.

Excavation of the Spitfire crash site on Salisbury Plain Training Area won the Heritage Project Award [Picture: Crown copyright]

This year’s Sanctuary Award winners are:

• Silver Otter and Environmental Project Award: Owl and Raptor Nest Box Project, which monitors and protects birds on Salisbury Plain Training Area
• Energy Project and Sustainable Business Award: RPC Central CarillionAmey Energy Team, for the delivery of its Energy Management Programme across multiple sites
• Heritage Project Award: Operation Nightingale, Tally Ho! An archaeological dig which uncovered a crashed Spitfire on Salisbury Plain Training Area
• Sustainability Project Award: Project Ubique, which improved signage for the public at Salisbury Plain Training Area
• Individual Award: Paul Castle, for his work as a volunteer with the Salisbury Plain Raptor Conservation and Monitoring Project

The ceremony also marked the launch of this year’s Sanctuary magazine - an annual publication, which illustrates how the MOD is undertaking its responsibility for stewardship of the estate in the UK and overseas.

Published 15 October 2014