The Lincolnshire Environmental Award 2009 went to Operation Barn Owl.

Operation Barn Owl began 21 years ago as a collaboration between the Association of Drainage Boards, the Wildlife Conservation Partnership and volunteer barn owl advisors. At that time there were just 200 pairs of barn owls in Lincolnshire but the potential of drainage ditches as linear habitats for barn owls and a range of other species had been recognised. Management of the grassland edges to the drains was changed to benefit the field vole (barn owls main prey item) and, with few places suitable for nest boxes, a barn owl box on a pole was designed. In 1987, Black Sluice Drainage Board put up the first 16 boxes which attracted 8 pairs of owls. Eleven Lincolnshire Drainage Boards are now part of the scheme and over 1000 barn owl chicks have fledged from Drainage Board boxes in Lincolnshire.

With 900 pairs of barn owls, Lincolnshire has most barn owls and the highest density of barn owls of any county in the country. The barn owls’ success is due in part to the grassland strips alongside drains, sensitively managed for biodiversity, and the provision of nest sites.

The category winners in 2009 were:

Agriculture and Rural Enterprise Winner:
The Association of Drainage Authorities and the Wildlife Conservation Partnership for “Operation Barn Owl”.

Agriculture and Rural Enterprise Runner-up:
Bleak House Farm, Mablethorpe, for the rehabilitation of farmland and creation of wildlife habitats following massive disturbance when gas pipelines were laid.

Business Winner: Centrica Energy
Following the realisation that their mowing regime on grass areas at the South Humberbank Power Station site, Stallingborough, were having an impact on nesting birds, Centrica Energy have changed their land management practices and created new wildlife habitats. They are now supporting other Centrica sites in producing biodiversity plans.

Business Runner-up:
The Gelder Group have created Greentech Management Services (waste treatment centre) and now recycle 90% of their waste and, are  developing an ecological reserve adjacent to offices in Sturton by Stow.

Community and Group Winner: Nettleham Woodland Trust
Local residents formed the Nettleham Woodland Trust in 2006 with the aim of wanting to see more trees in their local area. Since then they have involved a wide range of community groups and organisations in tree planting and woodland creation at PC Wood, Lincolnshire Police Headquarters and Monks Wood near Dunholme.

Community and Group Runner-up:
The Burgh Angling Club were commended for their work at Farlesthorpe Lake Nature Reserve, improving the lake for fish and other wildlife, improving access with new pathways and fishing platforms, and involving local children.

Individual Winner: Rodger Brownlow
Rodger Brownlow has been looking after Kettlethorpe Woods since 1983 and has increased biodiversity through woodland management and reversion of arable land to grassland.

Individual Runner-up:
Through his Island Woodland Project, Leslie Dean and his family have been clearing rubbish and building waste, clearing ponds and enhancing an area of ponds and woodland in Lincoln.

Highly Commended: 

Branston Junior Ranger Service
The Green Team at Bardney C of E Primary School
Isaac Newton Primary School Allotment Club
Tae and Acer Conlon for looking after mute swans in Lincoln