BPOTY and Conservation

Hookpod CEO Becky Ingham (centre) and Mark Carwardine (left) receiving a cheque for £500 from BPOTY director Paul Sterry (right) at this year’s Birdfair. Photo ©Rob Read.

As part of the 2019 BPOTY Competition Cycle, which culminated in the awards ceremony at this year’s Birdfair, Bird Photographer of the Year was proud to support Hookpod  the innovative solution that helps prevent seabird deaths, particular those of albatrosses, as a result of longline fishing in the southern oceans. BPOTY gave £500 to Hookpod earlier in the year and at Birdfair kind donations from the public raised another £260. Andrew Cameron, the BPOTY Chair, has generously offered to contribute additional funds so that BPOTY will now be able to give a further £500 to Hookpod. 

Dan Bradbury Director of Communications and Development of World Land Trust (left) receives a donation from BPOTY judge Chris Packham (centre) and BPOTY director Paul Sterry (right). Photo ©Rob Read.

As part of our continuing commitment to conservation, BPOTY is supporting the World Land Trust and, through the Bermuda Audubon Society, the Bermuda Petrel nest-site programme. We have given both organisations £500 to kickstart the relationship for the 2020 Competition Cycle and are inviting our photographic community to help raise more. 

Andrew Dobson (centre) former president of the Bermuda Audubon Society with his daughter Fiona (left) receive a donation from BPOTY director Paul Sterry (right). Photo ©Rob Read.

As an interesting new development, Bird Photographer of the Year is proud to announce a new award for 2020: The Conservation Documentary Award which is looking for a series of 3-6 images and a story that together document a bird-related conservation or environmental issue. We are thrilled to include on the judging panel for this special award legendary conservationist, cetacean guru and broadcaster Mark Carwardine plus writer and fearless environmental campaigner Mark Avery.