BIAZA calls for native species projects for Great British Wildlife Restoration

3 August 2026

The Great British Wildlife Restoration Awards by the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) is looking for Britain’s best projects protecting or restoring native species.

The competition aims to raise politicians’ awareness of the work of conservationists. Members of Parliament and the Lords will vote for their favourite project with the winner announced at a special parliamentary reception in May 2027. This year, the Great British Wildlife Restoration will support calls for Government to recognise a national British Wildlife Day, encouraging public and businesses to connect with and restore our wonderful natural heritage.

A map of projects which took part in the 2026 Great British Wildlife Restoration 

Andy Hall, BIAZA’s Public Affairs Manager said: “Its more important than ever that our politicians pay attention to the crisis in nature happening in their constituencies. From reintroducing hundreds of water voles, to clouds of rare butterflies, conservationists up and down the country are working their socks off for native species with little recognition from our political leaders. That’s why this year the Great British Wildlife Restoration is supporting the call for a British Wildlife Day.”

Winners of previous years include Wildwood Trust’s water vole reintroductions in Kent, rescuing the rare cotoneaster cambricus – a welsh shrub by Chester Zoo and the restoration of native oyster beds by the Zoological Society of London.

Applications close 30 September.

How to apply:

To apply, BIAZA members are asked to fill out the following table and email it to [email protected] by 30 September