Ranger Rob shortlisted for environmental award

A Ranger from Stover Country Park near Newton Abbot has been shortlisted for a top environmental award.

Rob Ballard is one of seven finalists in the running for the BIG Biodiversity Champion Award 2019.

The awards are organised by the independent, not-for-profit body CIRIA (the Construction Industry Research and Information Association).

Rob was nominated for his work on the sustainable reed-bed drainage system, which has been developed at Stover Country Park in recent months by Highways England, SWH, working with Devon County Council as the landowner, and supported by Natural England.

Rob said: “It’s an honour to be shortlisted for this award. It’s a fantastic project; the delivery of which has been made easier with the support of contractors and designers who took on board the importance of developing a functional system that will enhance the ecological value of the Site of Special Scientific Interest to increase diversity.”

Rob was nominated by David Goodwin-Hughes, of Kier Group, who was among those involved in the scheme design.

David said: "Rob takes great pride in the Park and it is the integrity of his passion towards all elements of the park and the benefits of the scheme that has helped motivate people to achieving the success this project has enjoyed. He has been passionate about delivering this project. He could have kept to just doing his day job, but his knowledge, experience and passion about biodiversity kept this in focus throughout, from design to delivery.

"Throughout the scheme, Rob's knowledge of the park and the species that make it so special made sure that everyone was aware of the biodiversity that we were all trying to protect and enhance. This ranged from ensuring the species rich soil was stripped and used, and choosing native reeds.

"To ensure every opportunity was taken to save a tree or enhance the benefits, Rob was always on hand throughout design and kept an ever-watchful eye whilst under construction."

The winner will be decided by public vote which closes on Wednesday 11 September. You can vote at:
https://www.bigchallenge.info/2019-shortlisted-entries