Brenda Faulconbridge, a Shropshire naturalist, was awarded one of the RSPB’s most prestigious tributes, the President’s Award, at the charity’s AGM this past Saturday [4 October 2008] in recognition of her outstanding commitment to nature conservation as a volunteer.
The award came in the form of a carved wooden Avocet, the bird in the RSPB's logo, and it was presented to Mrs Faulconbridge by RSPB President Julian Pettifer.
Mrs Faulconbridge from Shrewsbury has been a well known and respected figure in wildlife circles in the county for more than three decades, and has not only given her time to the RSPB; she has also been involved with the Shropshire Ornithological Society, and is a member of the Shropshire Wildlife Trust.
She officially started volunteering with the RSPB in 1971 which involved helping to set up the RSPB’s local group in Shropshire, organising film shows, helping on the RSPB stand at the Shrewsbury Flower Show and, for several years, going on two-week stints to Loch Garten, Scotland, as a nest guard for the ospreys.
Her volunteer work adds up to more than 15,000 hours!
Turning 75 earlier this year has not stopped her from being actively involved with the RSPB’s local activities in Shropshire.
Mrs Faulconbridge is likely to be among the friendly, welcoming faces that meet you at RSPB events in the county and she continues to share her knowledge and enthusiasm about birds and wildlife with people of all ages.
Steve Holliday, the RSPB’s Regional Director in the Midlands Region, said: “I’m thrilled that Brenda has received this great award in recognition for all of her fantastic, dedicated work for the RSPB.
“Brenda has always gone the extra mile to help inspire people in Shropshire about birds, wildlife and our conservation work, and it is a true privilege for us to have such dedicated volunteers like her.”
Brenda Faulconbridge said: “I have had a lot of enjoyment from my time as volunteer with the RSPB, and have made many friends amongst the staff and from the Shropshire RSPB Local Group. Also, I have learnt some new skills and increased my knowledge of birds and the environment.”