Devon otter sanctuary volunteer ‘overjoyed’ to win award

Herniman was nominated for the award by the trust’s chief executive and founder Dave Webb and his wife Kath.

They said she had become “like a daughter” and it had been “obvious she was someone very special” when she arrived to volunteer.

She was credited with helping enhance the wild areas at the trust’s new otter rehabilitation centre, helping with pond creation, tree planting and habitat improvement projects.

When asked why she thought she had won the award, Herniman said: “I would say I’m a bridge between farming and conservation.

“People think of it as two separate things, and more work needs to be done to bring them together to help our farmers and our environments, as they both play a key part in our UK habitats and ecosystems.

“I’m completely overjoyed because I’ve always had a passion for wildlife and our natural habitats.

“Getting to work with such a vital species and getting to see them every day is a privilege and means a lot to me.”

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