Close-ups on conservation
Two Lake District volunteers have been shortlisted in a top-level national photography competition capturing countryside measures to ‘muck in’.
Putting the national park in the frame, images by Mike Turner, of Halifax, and Jamie Green, from Backbarrow, near Newby Bridge, are among the four finalists in a government-run contest highlighting help for conservation.
Chosen from 50 entries, Defra will be submitting the pictures to the Garden Photographer of the Year exhibition at Kew, from 1 May, when the winner will be announced.
Mike’s shot of dry stone walling near Ennerdale Water and Jamie’s brush burning in the Rusland valley inspired judges in the Muck in 4 Life competition; part of a campaign to encourage more people to improve their surroundings.
Environment Minister, Huw Irranca-Davies, said: “These are great photos and picking a winner will be a difficult task. They show how people enjoy mucking in to help with the environment.”
A Lake District volunteer for six years, Mike has worked in commercial photography and provides LDNP with a constant stream of top quality images. Many can be seen on its website.
He said: “I took the walling pictures on an horrendous day in August. Despite the driving wind and rain, the volunteers were out there, getting the job done. I wanted it to show how much we all care about the Lake District.”
Brush burning showed that people don’t need specific skills, just the ability to muck in, according to Jamie, a retired civil servant, musician and busker and volunteer for seven years.
To find out more about the Muck in 4 Life campaign go to www.direct.gov.uk/muckin4life (opens in new window).
