DO you know an individual or group that has made a significant contribution to national park purposes on Dartmoor?

This year the Dartmoor Awards will recognise significant contributors to Dartmoor National Park’s purposes of protecting, maintaining and enhancing the scenic beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of Dartmoor and promoting the understanding and enjoyment of the area’s special qualities.

Dartmoor National Park Authority is seeking nominations for the awards, which will be presented in May.

The work or activity must take place within the boundaries of the park although nominations and entries may be made by any Devon resident, county-based professional or voluntary body.

Projects contributing to landscape, ecological, archaeological or cultural conservation, or to the enjoyment and understanding of the national park, or which meets the needs of the local community through sustainable developments, can be entered.

Nominations can also be made for outstanding individual or corporate contributions to Dartmoor and the national park purposes.

The first prize is the Edward Morshead Award — a specially commissioned trophy, to be held for two years, and a cash prize of £250. Edward Morshead was chairman of the Dartmoor National Park Committee from 1985 to 1989. He died in office and the award is presented in his memory. There is also a second prize of £150 and a third prize of £100.

A certificate and permanent photographic memento for each award winner will also be presented.

The Dartmoor Preservation Association (DPA) is delighted to be associated with the Dartmoor Awards as it has a history of more than 100 years of conservation work on Dartmoor.

The DPA will present an award in special recognition of outstanding conservation work carried out by young people under 21 on Dartmoor.

This section of the award comprises a shield to be retained for two years and a cash prize of £250. Work can range from practical work out on the open moor to raising awareness of Dartmoor’s environment, flora and fauna or even planting projects undertaken by school groups.

The DPA hopes to encourage today’s youngsters to learn about and care for Dartmoor.

All entries received by the national park authority, which relate to projects undertaken by young people, are auto-matically considered.

Nominations for the Dartmoor Awards must relate to the two years prior to the closing date and should be sent by email to [email protected] or in writing to Alison Harris, Dartmoor National Park, Parke, Bovey Tracey, Newton Abbot, Devon, TQ13 9JQ.

Nominations should be no more than 500 words. Low resolution images may be sent to support nominations.

The closing date for nominations is March 1.

For more information, visit the website at www.dartmoor.gov.uk or contact Mike Nendick on 01626 831045 or email them authority at [email protected]