The 2009 Otter Award Winners (for the 5-8 age group):

Pilling St. John’s Primary School

Pilling St. John’s Primary School presented with the Otter Award by Professor David Bellamy.

Winner of the youngest age group (5 to 8 years), the Otter Award, were Pilling St John’s Primary School (class 3), from Preston, Lancs, with a project entitled BeesRUs. Their report was in the form of a book, and wonderfully illustrated. They gave a general description of bees’ structure and had collected many pertinent facts. The major concern was the decline of bee populations, in particular honey and bumble bees. The loss of these much-loved creatures would be devastating for UK pollination and result in the loss of fruits and other essentials. Something must be done was the conclusion and nesting areas were built to encourage bees.

Runners up for the Otter Award (for the 5-8 age group):

Mrs Bland’s Infant and Nursery School

Runners up in this section were Mrs Bland’s Infant and Nursery School from Burghfield Common, Reading in Berkshire with the project: Beetles, Bugs and Butterflies.