Wilder Cheshire Awards 2026: finalists announced
Meet the finalists for the first Wilder Cheshire Awards, celebrating the people, projects and organisations helping nature recover across Cheshire and Warrington.
Thank you to everyone who entered. The number and breadth of entries made the judges’ decisions difficult and showed the range of work taking place for nature across our region.
Congratulations to this year’s finalists.
Wilder Cheshire Awards Category Finalists!
DELIVERING MORE PLACES FOR NATURE AWARD FINALISTS
Celebrating projects creating, restoring and connecting habitats to give wildlife the space it needs to thrive.
- Knutsford Nature Action Plan
- Macc Wild Network Trust
- Trees for Congleton
SPECIES RECOVERY AWARD FINALISTS
Recognising efforts to protect, restore and recover Cheshire’s rare and forgotten species.
- Swiftly Benefitting Wildlife in Crewe
- White Letter Hairstreak
- Floating Pennywort Management on the River Weaver
COMMUNITY ACTION FOR NATURE AWARD FINALISTS
Celebrating local people and communities acting for wildlife and the places they live.
- Friends of Woolston Park
- St. Thomas Church graveyard
- Friends of the Heath
LANDSCAPE STEWARDSHIP AWARD FINALISTS
Recognising farmers and land managers who are delivering wider benefits to water, climate, landscape and communities through the stewardship of land.
- Risley, Holcroft & Chat Moss National Nature Reserve Designation
- Barnston Estate
- Cheshire West & Chester Habitat creation programme
FOOD, FARMING & RESILIENCE AWARD FINALISTS
Recognising farmers and land managers producing food while helping nature recover and building more resilient farm businesses for the future.
- Meadows & Moor at Lower Barn Farm
- William & George Fergusson (Oakmere)
- Tatton Estate
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO NATURE AWARD FINALISTS
Recognising individuals whose dedication has made a lasting contribution to nature recovery across Cheshire and Warrington.
- Rupert Adams
- Ray Jackson
- Kevin Griffiths
WILDER SCHOOL AWARD FINALISTS
Recognising schools inspiring the next generation to connect with and care for nature.
- Lindow Moss Primary School
- Archer’s Brook SEMH School
- Sir William Stainer High School, Crewe
BUSINESS FOR NATURE AWARD FINALISTS
Recognising businesses using their influence, investment and innovation to support nature recovery.
- Storengy UK: Storing Energy Responsibly and Supporting Nature Recovery in Cheshire
- Alvaston Hall Hotel
- Jacqui O.
CONNECTING PEOPLE WITH NATURE AWARD FINALISTS
Celebrating projects helping more people access, experience and build lasting connections with nature.
- Networks for Nature
- Gauntlet Care Community
- The Backies, Lache
YOUNG WILDLIFE CHAMPION FINALISTS
Celebrating young people helping nature thrive.
- Jessica Bennett
- George Foster-Jennings
- Dexter McCarthy
Finalists: save the date!
All finalists will be invited to the awards ceremony at Chester Zoo on Thursday 12 November 2026, where this year’s winners will be announced.
We will be in contact with finalists over the next few days with further details. In the meantime, save the date!
We look forward to celebrating with you.