Celebrating the Volunteering Achievement Award Winners 2026

The Volunteer Achievement Awards, now in its fourth consecutive year, aim to shine a spotlight on the remarkable contributions made by volunteers, recognising their dedication and impact on the CIEEM community. In recognition of Volunteers Week we want to take the opportunity to thank all our volunteers who contribute so much to support members and advance our profession.

Following shortlisting by three judges, including members of the Governing Board and Secretariat, we are delighted to announce the winners of the 2026 Volunteer Achievement Awards. Please read below to find out more about each of our winners…

Athena Allen ACIEEM

Athena was nominated due to the leadership she has shown in revitalizing the Early Careers Special Interest Group (SIG), delivering impactful events and resources for emerging professionals, and strengthening support for students and early-career ecologists. Athena’s nomination also highlighted her wider contributions through the Marine and Coastal SIG, mentoring, and work on articles and blogs that help shape understanding across the profession.

I am delighted to have been awarded the CIEEM Volunteer Achievement Award 2026 – what an honour! I have been a member of CIEEM since beginning my career in ecology in 2022, and it has been an invaluable source of support, providing excellent resources, guidance, and a fantastic network of fellow professionals. Through my involvement with both the Early Careers and Marine & Coastal SIGs, I really value the opportunity to deepen my knowledge in my area of interest, marine habitats, while also helping to make the sector more accessible and welcoming for everyone. I greatly value my role as a CIEEM volunteer, […] and it means a great deal to have this work recognised.

Jon Barnes CEnv MCIEEM

Jon was nominated due to his sustained commitment since 2011 across multiple committees and working groups, his enthusiasm for attracting diverse skills into the sector, and his role in upholding professional standards through significant contributions to the Membership Admissions Committee. Jons nomination also highlighted his efforts to promote aquatic sciences and specialist knowledge within the profession, and his current leadership in developing Good Practice Guidance for freshwater habitat restoration within the Rebuilding Nature Working Group.

I have volunteered with CIEEM over the last 15 years in a range of roles. Whilst committing to a volunteer role is challenging on top of balancing work and life, these roles continue to expand my awareness of what ecology and environmental management is and challenge my perceptions. CIEEMs’ membership draws from a broad range of environmental practitioners, and I get to experience the benefit of not only the diversity of thought this brings but also the enthusiasm with which other volunteers approach each engagement. It can’t help but rub off and I carry that back into my work life. I’m proud to have been entrusted the opportunity to play a small role in elevating awareness of marine and freshwater science within the Institute, and hope to continue increasing the representation of aquatic ecology.

Kathy Dale CEcol FCIEEM

Kathy was nominated for her exceptional and sustained voluntary contribution since 2013, particularly her vital role in upholding professional standards through long‑standing service on the Registration Authority and her commitment as a Lead Assessor for Chartered Ecologist applications. Kathy’s nomination also highlighted her dedication to supporting colleagues and future professionals through mentoring, early‑career training, Fellowship assessments and wider CIEEM roles, alongside her generosity, reliability and enthusiasm in strengthening both CIEEM and the profession.

I am thrilled to be receiving this award in recognition of the voluntary work I have carried out for CIEEM over many years. I am a strong supporter of the Institute and believe that I have a duty to contribute to its work to promote high standards and develop the membership. I also enjoy working as a volunteer very much! My roles have been varied, from being the first Vice President for Scotland, through mentoring students and early career ecologists, judging awards, and most recently and consistently, to hard work on the Registration Authority with others, revising the Competency Framework and the application process for Chartered Ecologists. I particularly enjoy carrying out Professional Review Interviews, meeting potential Chartered Ecologists and learning about their careers, as well as engaging and collaborating with highly talented committee members and other assessors. I feel extremely valued by the Institute Secretariat and am very grateful for this award, so thank-you!

Rebecca Harris CEcol MCIEEM

Rebecca was nominated for her long‑standing commitment in promoting and supporting progression to Chartered Ecologist status, including extensive work as a Chartered Assessor, mentoring of colleagues, and efforts to raise awareness of Chartership across her professional networks. Rebecca’s nomination also focussed on her valuable contributions to the Chartered Registration Authority, her role in improving the application process, and her wider support for CIEEM through activities such as judging the NGO Impact Award.

Giving back time as a Volunteer CEcol Assessor for CIEEM is important to me as I enjoy being a part of people’s journey to Chartership. I’m proud to have been a part of the Registration Authority, where we’ve worked together to make the path to Chartered Ecologist accessible for those who choose to apply.

Charlotte Hogg

Charlotte was nominated due to the impact she has made in her short time as Secretary of the Wales Member Network committee. Charlottes nomination highlighted her outstanding, organisation, professionalism and commitment, and the momentum and structure she has brought to the team. Charlottes nomination also recognised her leadership in organising and supporting multiple events, her positive and approachable role in careers outreach, and the enthusiasm, warmth and motivation she brings as a valued ambassador.

Volunteering with CIEEM has been incredibly rewarding. As Secretary of the Wales Section Committee, I’ve developed skills in organisation, leadership, and professionalism, and have really enjoyed working with such knowledgeable people from all different parts of the sector. I’ve loved supporting events and hosting webinars, which have broadened my ecological knowledge across many topics ranging from bat survey guidelines and white‑tailed eagle reintroduction, to BNG and nature-based solutions, and even dung beetles in sustainable farming! Careers outreach has also been especially meaningful to me, particularly working with Green Jobs for Nature and Brian Heppenstall, attending STEM careers fairs and sharing my own journey into ecology. Being nominated for this award means a great deal to me, and I hope to continue being able to support and encourage others, both those who are already within or are looking to get into the world of ecology and all things environmental!

Victoria Hooper CEcol CEnv FCIEEM

Victoria was nominated for her long‑term commitment to raising professional standards across the sector, including her work on multiple CIEEM committees, her role as a Chartered Ecologist Assessor, and her leadership in developing robust guidance such as the hazel dormouse competency standard. Victoria’s nomination also highlighted her extensive mentoring, training and outreach work, which demonstrate the breadth her voluntary efforts.

I have hugely enjoyed the opportunities my voluntary roles have given me to contribute to raising professional standards across ecology, whether through working groups, awards panels, Chartership assessment, developing robust guidance such as the dormouse competency standard, or supporting others through mentoring, training and outreach. I have gained a great deal from working alongside such committed colleagues and from learning through a wide range of perspectives across the profession. Winning this award is incredibly meaningful to me as it recognises my long‑term commitment to the profession and the values I care deeply about. It is a real honour to have this work acknowledged by CIEEM and to know that my contribution has had a positive and lasting impact.

Dr Caroline Mcparland CEnv MCIEEM

Caroline was nominated for both her pivotal role in influencing the Natural Environment Bill – where her evidence and engagement directly contributed to the removal of Part 2, and her long‑standing leadership within CIEEM Scotland; including extensive policy work, consultation responses and representation with key stakeholders. Caroline’s nomination also recognised her wider contributions through the In Practice Editorial Board, and her ongoing commitment to supporting members, championing best practice and strengthening CIEEM’s profile across Scotland and beyond.

I’m delighted and very surprised to be recognised for a Volunteer Achievement Award! Volunteering for CIEEM has given me a professional community, friends and a chance to make a difference. It was a huge privilege to represent CIEEM’s views on Scotland’s Natural Environment Bill  – not something I could have done without all the brilliant CIEEM staff and the volunteers on the Scotland Policy Group. And I have learnt a great deal over the years from volunteers on In Practice and the Scottish Section Committee – I may be biased but the Scottish Committee is amazing, putting together so many member events and a top quality conference every year. So whilst I have been recognised I’d like to give a massive thanks to everyone who makes CIEEM such an important, effective and vital organisation.

Ro Scott CEnv MCIEEM(rtd)

Ro was nominated for her exceptional and sustained contribution as an Associate and Full membership assessor and as a long‑standing member of the Membership Admissions Committee, where her commitment, professionalism and thoughtful judgement have supported the growth and integrity of CIEEM. Ro’s nomination also highlighted the significant impact of her assessment work – including the large number of applications she has reviewed and the many individuals she has helped achieve membership, as well as her constructive insights, collaborative approach and dedication over six years of service.

I have really enjoyed my time as a member of the Membership Admissions Committee (MAC) and particularly the role of Membership Assessor. It has enabled me to continue my involvement with the profession, although now retired from paid work, and to help the next generation of ecologists and environmental managers as they advance their careers through the membership grades. It has been interesting, educational and inspiring to see the huge variety of different job roles which members of the Institute occupy, and the multifarious skills and knowledge they can bring to bear. You don’t stop being interested in a subject you have spent your whole life working on just because you retire, and I hope that through volunteering I have been able to apply some of what I have learned in the course of my career to assist in maintaining the professional standards which the institute upholds. I am honoured and flattered to receive an Award for doing something which I found rewarding in its own right – so this is the icing on the cake!

Mike Willis CEcol FCIEEM

Mike was nominated for his exceptional commitment as a volunteer assessor, highlighted by the scale, quality and reliability of his support across Associate, Full and Chartered Ecologist applications during a period of increasing demand. Mike’s nomination also recognised his sustained leadership and wider impact through long‑standing policy and strategic roles, including chairing the Wales Policy Group and contributions to the Action 2030 working group, exemplifying dedication, professionalism and generosity to CIEEM.

As a schoolboy, meeting enthusiastic and knowledgeable volunteer field biologists through the local field club, recording plants and other wildlife, lead me eventually to study Botany and later Ecology at University.

Joining IEEM in 1991 (now CIEEM), provided me with opportunities to give back to my profession, as a volunteer, my personal commitment and passion for wildlife conservation, which still continues today.

[…] So provided I still have physical and mental capacity (though some may doubt this!) volunteer work is not age-limiting and is still extremely rewarding and highly recommended!