Volunteers are at the heart of Plant Heritage's work so we are delighted to be launching four new awards to recognise their hard work, thanks to the generosity of the Marsh Charitable Trust.
The new awards are being launched for 2026 and will become an annual feature. The new awards are:
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One Marsh Plant Conservation Award - for those directly involved in the charity's flagship conservation schemes, the National Plant Collections and Plant Guardians. This award complements the Brickell Award which is given to Collection holders who have reached the highest standards of plant conservation and is more inclusive.
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Three Marsh Volunteer of the Year Awards - to recognise the hundreds of volunteers who make an enormous contribution to the charity's work, from those organising activities across the country to digital volunteers keeping plant records safe and those who collect and pack thousands of packets of seeds to raise funds for the charity each year. At least one of these awards will go to a volunteer under the age of 35.
Prizes will be presented by a representative of the Marsh Trust at the Plant Heritage zone at the RHS Badminton Flower Show in July, alongside the winner of the 2026 Brickell Award. The Marsh Plant Conservation Award winner will receive a cheque for £500 and each of the three Marsh Volunteer of the Year award winners will receive a cheque for £250.
Nominations must be received by 5pm on Thursday 9 April by email to Comms@plantheritage.org.uk or mailed to Plant Heritage's offices at Stonepine, Wisley Lane, Wisley, Woking, GU23 6QD. The nomination should give the name and address of the person making the nomination, and who they are nominating and why in terms of their contribution to Plant Heritage.