GOLD
Action for Conservation & Penpont Estate – The Penpont Project
The Penpont Project, launched 2019, is the UK’s largest intergenerational nature restoration initiative of its kind, uniting a Youth Leadership Group (YLG) of 20 local young people with farmers, landowners, and scientists to restore biodiversity across 2,000 acres in the Bannau Brycheiniog. Through an innovative intergenerational decision-making model, partners are delivering habitat restoration, wetland creation, and nature-friendly farming at scale.
Practical achievements include establishing a tree nursery, planting 30,000+ trees, and installing 24 leaky woody dams, resulting in early positive ecological responses, including sightings of otters and slow worms. The on-site education programme has engaged 360 students through immersive outdoor learning; 91% felt more connected to nature post-participation.
In 2025, the project’s Youth Ranger placements provided 300+ hours of paid work experience. 100% of YLG members report gaining essential conservation skills alongside improved wellbeing, demonstrating the project’s success in fostering environmental change and building resilience.
SILVER
CMI Orchards, The Soil Center® & Royal Family Farming – The Soil Center: Where Waste Becomes Worth
The Soil Center upcycles agricultural byproducts, often treated as waste, into nutrient-rich soil amendments that regenerate the soil, sequester carbon, and strengthen the local economy and ecosystem of the Pacific Northwest United States. By converting culled fruit, removed orchard wood, manure, and row crop residues into soil products like biochar, compost, and worm castings, The Soil Center® has sequestered over one million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (mtCO2e) since its founding in 2022. The initiative has expanded rapidly, growing from 15,000 acres to more than 40,000, with plans to reach 60,000 acres. At full scale, it is projected to sequester over one million mtCO2e annually, offsetting approximately 15% of Washington State’s annual agricultural greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. These regenerative practices generate high-integrity carbon credits, sold as insets to supply chain partners to help reduce scope 3 emissions.
ONE-TO-WATCH
Meadfleet – Buzz & Flutter: Creating Thriving Spaces for People and Wildlife
Meadfleet manages over 545 acres of open space across 350+ residential developments, supporting more than 43,000 customers. In 2025, building on its award-winning Bee Friendly campaign—which delivered 30,000m² of species-rich grassland, 100,000 bulbs and 1.5km of hedgerow—it launched Buzz & Flutter, an ambitious programme driving measurable nature recovery.
The initiative enhances habitats for pollinators, birds and wildlife while embedding long-term ecological stewardship into land management. Between January 2025 and February 2026, it has delivered 60 oak trees, 2.1km of hedgerow, 3,900sqm of wildflower habitat, 76,000 bulbs and 639 bird feeders.
Delivered with leading wildlife charities, the programme is evidence-led and impact-focused. Community engagement is central, encouraging residents to support nature through events and education.
By combining large-scale habitat creation with resident action, Buzz & Flutter provides a scalable model for restoring biodiversity and creating nature-positive places where people live.