Steve Piotrowski has been named the winner of the David Wood National Landscape Award in the Coast & Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) for 2021-22

The David Wood National Landscape Award celebrates and recognises the achievements of individuals, groups and organisations that have made an outstanding contribution to the conservation and enhancement or raising awareness of the natural beauty or special qualities of the National Landscapes in Suffolk and Essex.

Steve has been a force for nature within the ornithological community in Suffolk for more than 50 years and was the instigator and driving force behind the hugely successful Suffolk Community Barn Owl Project.

Steve is an Honorary Vice-President of the Suffolk Bird Group, founder of Waveney Bird Club, and was instrumental in securing the Trimley Marshes Nature Reserve for Suffolk Wildlife Trust.

Nick Collinson, Chairman of the Coast & Heaths AONB Partnership said: "Steve Piotrowski has inspired countless people to appreciate the beauty and wildlife of Suffolk through his outstanding work and his passion for the area.

Steve's achievements over several decades make him a thoroughly deserving recipient of the David Wood National Landscape Award and recognises the immensely positive impact he has had upon the AONB."

Upon receiving the award, Steve Piotrowski said: "I am always proud to tell people that I was born and bred in Suffolk and it's a county that everyone who lives here, or visits, falls in love with.

It has been both my privilege and my honour to work with so many wonderful people especially on conservation work that has ensured the sustainability of Suffolk for our future generations.

It is my opinion that without doubt all the AONB staff have been instrumental in ensuring the success of many projects."

The award is named after David Wood, the former long-time Chairman of the Coast and Heaths AONB Joint Advisory Committee and Partnership, a lifelong advocate for these special landscapes.

Award winners receive a framed copy of a linocut print created by local artist, Jem Seeley, and produced by Drab Ltd featuring the AONB's iconic species – the Redshank in the Coast and Heaths AONB.

Find out more information about the David Wood National Landscape Award at www.suffolkcoastandheaths.org/awards.