Wirral Wildlife is a local group of the Trust run completely by volunteers, taking action for wildlife on the Wirral. Hilary was nominated for her outstanding contribution to the natural environment, especially in relation to the founding and running of New Ferry Butterfly Park. She was presented her award at a special lunch on Wednesday 29th March.
Hilary has been living in Bromborough, on the Wirral since 1982, after studying Botany at Oxford University and undertaking a PhD at Liverpool University. Her research topic, investigating the way native plants grow on industrial waste sites, was to prove very useful when she became involved in Wirral Wildlife and during her career as a botanist, doing surveys, management plans and habitat creation in urban areas.
She has now been Honorary Conservation Officer for Wirral Wildlife, advising community groups, local authorities, and individual landowners for over 30 years. Another key project for Hilary has been New Ferry Butterfly Park, set on a Cheshire Wildlife Trust nature reserve. The site has been transformed from a derelict railway goods yard into a thriving community park centred on invertebrates, with a strong educational and people-facing focus.