A Billericay resident has won a national award after creating homes for 50 badger cubs. Nina Scotland was presented with the John Taylor Award for Outstanding Services to Badgers by wildlife campaigner Dr Alice Brough.
Nina was nominated for her ongoing commitment to the Essex Badger Protection Group and her support and dedication to badgers and their habitats. She received the award at at the Badger Trust Symposium on July 6.
Nina has been a member for over a decade and is involved in many aspects of their work, including writing and editing the group’s newsletter and taking on the role of treasurer. Her commitment has seen membership rise to more than 140 members and, under her guidance, the group’s finances have also swelled.
While these are vital positions in the group, and Nina’s real passion is helping badgers ‘in-the-field’. Since becoming a member, she has recorded over 60 new setts and continues to monitor them.
As the group’s artificial sett coordinator, Nina is the driving force behind building setts for orphaned badger cubs. The group has now released more than 50 badger cubs into eight artificial setts, thank to her efforts.
Her work in building key local relationships includes becoming a volunteer for South Essex Wildlife Hospital, and she is involved in hand-rearing cubs. Nina is dedicated to educating and inspiring others in the group and the local community about the importance of badger conservation.
“Nina’s ongoing enthusiasm and passion are why she has won this award. Her outstanding work for badgers, particularly her extraordinary efforts to find and create new homes for over 50 orphaned cubs, inspires badger protectors everywhere,” Peter Hambly, chief executive of Badger Trust.