Schöffel Countryside Awards 2026 Unveils 28 Finalists for Wildlife Conservation Efforts

The 2026 Schöffel Countryside Awards have unveiled their 28 finalists, celebrating the incredible efforts of individuals, farms, and estates dedicated to wildlife management and conservation. Organised by the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) in partnership with Schöffel Country, these awards aim to highlight practical actions that demonstrate how wildlife recovery and food production can coexist harmoniously.

Celebrating Working Conservation

The Schöffel Countryside Awards are back for a second year after the success of the inaugural event held in 2025. The awards focus on those who are actively involved in working conservation, showcasing how dedicated efforts can benefit both the environment and agriculture. Over 70 nominations were submitted, leading to the selection of 28 finalists across six categories. This year, the ceremony will take place at Coutts Landed Estates in London in November.

Megan Lock, a judge and senior farm environment advisor for GWCT, expressed enthusiasm about the awards:

“I am looking forward to meeting these finalists, who have all been nominated for delivering huge benefits for wildlife on private land, both independently and collaboratively.” She emphasised the importance of recognising the lesser-known efforts in conservation, stating that “so much work like this goes under the radar, and these awards showcase those who are quietly striving to make nature thrive.”

Close-up of a bumblebee hovering near a pink bramble flower

Tranquil pond surrounded by lush greenery and wildflowers

Yorkshire's Own Contributions

Among the finalists is the Swaledale and Wensleydale Environmental Farmers Group (SWEF), founded by North Yorkshire farmer Adrian Thornton-Berry. The group has been shortlisted in the Farm-Environment Partnership category, and Thornton-Berry expressed pride in the nomination, saying, “I was genuinely surprised and very proud to learn that SWEF had been nominated for the Schöffel Countryside Awards.”

Thornton-Berry highlighted the significance of SWEF in preserving the cultural heritage of the Yorkshire Dales. He explained, “Supporting SWEF is something I care passionately about because it represents the living heritage of the Yorkshire Dales, from native sheep breeds and traditional farming on the hills and in the valleys, to the iconic dry stone walls that help make these landscapes such important havens for wildlife and biodiversity.”

He also noted the challenges faced by upland farming families following the removal of government support, stating that SWEF aims to secure funding to ensure that these landscapes remain productive and environmentally resilient for future generations.

Meet the Judges

This year's judging panel has expanded to include winners from the previous awards. Rupert Brewer, who won the Working Conservationist category, and Tom Hilder, the Rising Star, are both excited to contribute their expertise in evaluating this year's finalists. They will join a group of judges that includes GWCT ecologists and external experts, who will visit each finalist to observe their conservation work in action before casting their votes.

Finalists by Category

The finalists have been recognised across several categories, each highlighting different aspects of conservation and environmental stewardship. Here are the finalists for some of the key awards:

• The Nature-Friendly Farm/Estate Award – sponsored by Oakbank

  • Wyken Estate, Suffolk

  • Godminster Farm, Somerset

  • EJ Barker & Sons, Suffolk

  • Boughton Estate, Northamptonshire

  • Bulwick Estates, Northamptonshire

  • Llwyn Y Brain Farm, Powys, Wales

  • Castletown Estate and Farm, Cumbria

  • Racecourse Farm, Staffordshire

  • Rottal Estate, Angus, Scotland

  • The Grange and Moat Farm, Northamptonshire

• The Innovation in Conservation Award – sponsored by B-hive Innovations

These categories celebrate farms and estates that excel in implementing practices promoting biodiversity and species recovery, as well as innovative solutions that enhance conservation efforts.