Conservation charity recognised for sustainable business practice

Marwell Preservation Trust, the wildlife conservation charity which operates Marwell Zoological Park, was highly commended as joint best in the Medium Business Award category in the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Sustainable Business Awards 2008.

The charity is dedicated to conserving wildlife and their habitats in the UK and Africa, whilst successfully incorporating sustainable business practices. The award criteria is wide-ranging and the judges were impressed with the charity's holistic approach to sustainable business by setting environmental, social and economic criteria as measures of success.

This prestigious award was presented by Alan Knight, chair of the Ethical Trading Champions Group of the UK Government's Food Industry, at the gala ceremony held at the De Vere Grand Harbour Hotel, Southampton on Friday 21 November.

During 2007, the zoological park recycled or composted 89% of its waste (which includes animal and non-animal waste). Many sustainable construction techniques have also been incorporated into various buildings around the park. The park's new restaurant was built with timber that is FSC certified and its lighting comes from solar shading and uses light pipes to increase natural lighting. It also collects and reuses rainwater, and supports local food producers by using locally sourced ingredients. The park's Conservation Education Centre has many energy and water saving devices including light motion sensor controls, low and zero emission paints and double glazing in sustainable soft wood frames.

Marwell's sustainable techniques even reach as far as Africa. Marwell employs local people from Tunisia and Zimbabwe to help support the vital conservation work to help save endangered species. They are actively encouraged to help manage their own environments and undertake academic study and research at the same time as undertaking practical tasks that managing endangered populations brings.

Visitors to the park are encouraged to think about how they can improve their environmental impact. Marwell's staff are also encouraged to do their bit as Marwell's Director, James Cretney explains: "We have shown that there are many simple cost effective ways in which business can act sustainability and which make a real difference. For example, we have been able to reduce the number of cars on the road and increase sustainable travel by providing showers and cycle storage facilities for staff. We are also considering many other incentives including a car sharing scheme and free local transport, which we hope visitors will also be able to use too."

Marwell adds the Sustainable Business recognition to two awards that it recently won in the 2008 Winchester Business Excellence Awards. The Hampshire County Council Rural Business of the Year Award recognised the charity's achievement of balancing the need to be economically viable with a responsibility to the local environment and community. The Winchester City Council Award for Green Innovation was awarded in recognition of Marwell's commitment to improve environmental performance whilst minimising its environmental impact.

Marwell staff regularly speak at local business events demonstrating how solutions found at Marwell are applicable to a wide range of organisations. Businesses interested in learning about how to incorporate sustainable business methods please contact Duncan East, Marwell's Sustainability Manager on 01962 777957 or email duncane@marwell.org.uk

Notes to editors

Photo Caption - Marwell is very creative in reusing materials in novel ways. Here Duncan East, Marwell's Sustainability Manager is inspecting the recycled waste woodchips which have been placed around a playground to provide a soft floor for children to play on.

For further media information please contact Helen Jeffreys, Marwell Zoological Park Media Relations Officer. Email: helenj@marwell.org.uk

Phone: 01962 777947

The Hampshire & Isle of Wight Sustainable Business Awards put Marwell through a rigorous application and assessment process, which included a visit from an assessor.

Marwell Preservation Trust entered the medium sized business category (50 - 250 employees). The other finalists in the 2008 category are:

Careys Manor Hotel & SenSpa
Double H Nurseries
Hildon
Paris Smith and Randall
Raymond Brown Minerals and Recycling

Marwell Zoological Park was founded in 1972. The Park is owned and operated by Marwell Preservation Trust: a registered charity dedicated to the conservation of biological diversity. Registered Charity Number 275433.

Marwell is dedicated to the conservation of wildlife and other natural resources and works to conserve species and their habitats, whilst advocating environmental and social responsibility in support of these goals.

Marwell seeks to address causes of extinction and manages vulnerable populations of threatened species to ensure their survival. This is achieved through a range of species and habitat conservation programmes locally to Marwell's base in southern England and internationally, with a particular focus in Africa.

Marwell is a member of the British and Irish Association of zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA). BIAZA represents its member collections and promotes the values of good zoos and aquariums.

Marwell Zoological Park, Colden Common, Winchester, Hampshire, SO21 1JH. www.marwell.org.uk