University of Cambridge’s Sir Partha Dasgupta becomes Wildlife Trust BCN’s new president - plus upcoming events, a podcast and challenge

Amy Gerhard, of the Wildlife Trust Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire, discusses the charity’s new president, its new podcast, a festive challenge and event, and more in the latest of her monthly columns.

Sir Partha Dasgupta, the globally renowned University of Cambridge environmental economist and author of a groundbreaking report on protecting global nature, has set his sights closer to home as president of his local Wildlife Trust.

After being elected at the trust’s recent annual general meeting, Sir Partha said “I am both honoured and delighted to serve as president of the Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire.

“My wife and I have admired the trust’s work and make regular use of the nature reserves in our neighbourhood. So, it is a privilege to be able to serve the trust and I look forward to doing so to the best of my abilities.”

Brian Eversham, chief executive of the Wildlife Trust BCN, said: “It is a huge honour to welcome Sir Partha as our new president. His deep understanding of the impact human society has had on the environment will be invaluable to us as we embark on a new phase as a charity aiming to do even more to protect wildlife in our region.”

He added: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank outgoing trust president Michael Allen for helping us get where we are today, and I look forward to working with Sir Partha as we look to the future.”

The Cambourne Christmas Fair is just around the corner

Come and enjoy a festive afternoon with us at our Manor House HQ in Cambourne on Friday, 29 November.

Why not sip on a glass of festive mulled wine, enjoy a delicious mince pie, and browse our fabulous array of Christmas gifts and activities? Among the stalls you will find amazing wildlife art, drawings, paintings and prints, handmade jewellery, hand-crafted ceramics and wooden gifts, Christmas cards, calendars and books.

Entry to the fair is free, just remember to bring some spending money for gifts! You can find more details online at wildlifebcn.org/events

A festive nature challenge…

If you’re looking for some wildlife inspiration for the Christmas holidays then make sure to sign up for 12 Days Wild.

This festive nature challenge encourages you to do one wild thing a day from 25 December to 5 January.

In those quiet days between Christmas and New Year there is plenty to see and do outdoors – or in the warmth of your home. They could be little things to help nature - like recycling your Christmas tree or feeding the birds – or connecting to the natural world, by taking some wintery walks or visiting a local nature reserve.

Sign up at wildlifetrusts.org/12dayswild and we’ll send you inspiration and ideas.

And remember if you’re looking for a Christmas gift for a wildlife lover then there’s plenty to choose from in our online shop. Adopt a Highland cow, a beaver or maybe a hedgehog, see wonderful images every day with our 2025 calendar, wear wildlife with pride with our fabulous range of sustainable clothing and much more. Visit https://shop.wildlifebcn.org/.

Exciting new podcast!

The new Wildlife Trust BCN podcast, In Conservation, is out now! Our first episode, Moth Talk with Mischa, was recorded at Pitsford Water nature reserve at the tail end of summer, where Mischa Cross, senior reserves officer, opened the daily moth trap and chatted about what was found with podcast host and producer Sophie Baker.

The first six episodes, released monthly from November 2024 will share inspiring insights from staff, from roles across the trust, about the work they do and how it benefits wildlife and people. You will also hear about their motivations and love for the job - even on dark winter days, or in the face of the huge challenges presented by the climate crisis.

Listen above or at wildlifebcn.org/podcast.

Recognising amazing volunteers and supporters

Each year the Wildlife Trust BCN’s trustees present awards to recognise some of the most hardworking and passionate volunteers across our three counties.

The Richenda Huxley Award recognises an outstanding contribution to any aspect of the work of the Trust and this year has been awarded to three volunteers: Barbara Cracknell and Sian and David Johnston.

The Oliver Rackham Award, recognising an individual who has demonstrated outstanding service to wildlife in our area through conservation, monitoring or research, was given this year to two recipients: Charles Turner and John Woollett.

And the Jon Smith Award (constituted in 2017 in memory of our much-loved and missed former Great Fen restoration officer, a passionate conservationist) recognises volunteers who have gone the extra mile in their work for the trust and made a significant impact on a particular aspect of its work. This year it was awarded to both Alex Watkin-Child and Frank York.

We would like to say a huge thank you to these amazing people and all of the trust’s inspirational volunteers for the work they do protecting wildlife on our reserves, inspiring people to love nature and recording species.