The Birdwatch Birders’ Choice nominations are published, and the closing date is the end of this month – click here.
I haven’t changed my mind on the important Guano Award so I’ve been pondering over the other categories.
How about the Conservation Hero of 2019 award?
The shortlist is:
- David Attenborough
- Greta Thunberg
- Jonny Rankin and Nick Moran
- Mya-Rose Craig
- George Monbiot
How to choose, how to choose?
Only one of these people has written a guest blog here (and Jonny Rankin has actually written two: Action Wins!, July 2013; Big Bird Race, May 2012) but that may not be a critical factor for deciding.
Who’s the best birder? No, I don’t think that is likely to be a good measure either (but I’m guessing Nick Moran would probably take that prize – just a guess).
Is there a difference between being a conservation hero and an environmental hero? I think there is, but I’m not sure how much notice we should take of that. Should the 2019 award go to the person who did most in 2019, or should there be an element of lifetime achievement?
We have plenty of difficult choices ahead and this one isn’t the most important facing us but it still merits real thought, and after my thought I voted for the only person on the list that I haven’t met! Greta Thunberg probably wouldn’t be the best companion on a birding trip but she has made a phenomenal impact on people all over the world. She gets my vote.
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