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Living Countryside Awards 2026
CPRE Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Living Countryside Awards 2026 Celebrating Those Who Cherish and Protect Our Countryside
Welcome to the Living Countryside Awards 2026, proudly organised by Campaign to Protect Rural England Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, in partnership with Derbyshire Association of Local Councils (DALC) and Nottinghamshire Association of Local Councils (NALC).
These awards honour the people, groups and councils who protect, promote and enhance our two counties’ beautiful countryside and green spaces. Whether you are a passionate individual, a dedicated community group, or town/parish council or councillor making a difference to the community you serve, there is a category for you! In addition, anyone can enter our photo competition category celebrating our two counties’ green spaces and countryside.
To mark 100 years of Campaign to Protect Rural England in 2026, we have a special Centenary category; a Green Space Stewardship award to celebrate the vital role that town/parish councils and individual councillors, play in protecting and enhancing the countryside. For a century, Campaign to Protect Rural England has worked alongside local communities and decision-makers to champion green spaces and this award recognises those who continue that legacy through dedicated stewardship of their local environment.
Each category winner will receive a £250 prize, with runners-up awarded £50 in recognition of their efforts to protect and enhance Derbyshire’s countryside.
We’re pleased to be partnering with DALC again in 2026 and to be joined this year by NALC. DALC and NALC support and represent Parish and Town Councils across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire respectively and we look forward to welcome their representatives onto our judging panel.
Nominations open from 20th April 2026 and close on 31st May 2026.
Learn more about last year’s winners here
Inspiring Group
This award recognises groups and organisations who are making a positive difference to the countryside and local environment across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.
This could include, involvement in planning and development decisions, protecting, restoring or maintaining green spaces, delivering green energy or sustainability projects, conservation and biodiversity initiatives, and community activities such habitat
We welcome nominations for those who demonstrate commitment, initiative, and a lasting impact in their local area.
Who can nominate: a member of the group, the group committee, a member of the public, a parent, guardian or group leader on behalf of children under 16, a professional in the group’s field of activity.
Trail Blazer
This award recognises individuals who are making a positive difference to the countryside and local environment across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.
This could include: Individuals making significant contributions to groups or projects that protect, enhance or restore local green spaces, those taking independent action to benefit their local environment and those who inspire and engage their community to make a positive difference
Who can nominate: members of the public, community groups or organisations, parents, guardians or group leaders on behalf of children under 16, and people can nominate themselves!
Centenary Award: Green Space Stewardship (Town/Parish Councils and Councillors)
To celebrate 100 years of CPRE, this special award recognises town/parish councils and individual councillors, who demonstrate outstanding leadership and commitment to protecting, enhancing, and championing local green spaces.
This award honours those who consistently make a difference through their stewardship of the local environment, ensuring green spaces are valued, protected, and enjoyed by their communities.
This could include: Working to influence planning decisions to protect the local environment, creating, improving or maintaining green spaces, supporting biodiversity and nature recovery projects, delivering climate or sustainability initiatives, engaging and inspiring the local community.
Who can nominate: anyone can nominate a local council or councillor including members of the public, community groups or organisations, fellow councillors or council staff.
Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Countryside Captured
This award is for everyone to submit their best image of the Derbyshire or Nottinghamshire countryside or local green spaces.
This could include Your own photographs (or photographs of your artworks) depicting the countryside, buildings in the countryside or animals or people enjoying green spaces (with their permission – the people not the animals!). Smartphone photos are welcome!
Who can nominate: self-nominate your own image or of someone you know!
Maximum three photos per person nominated please (up to a total limit of 10GB). We cannot accept professional artists or photographers.
How to nominate
You can nominate yourself or someone else who deserves recognition for their contributions to the countryside. Please complete and submit your nomination form below.
If you have any questions or issues submitting your nomination, please contact us at committee@cprederbysandnotts.org.uk.
You may wish to read our privacy policy before completing your nomination.
Supporting the awards
If you or your business are interested in sponsoring our next Living Countryside Awards, either as a whole or a particular award, we would love to hear from you by emailing us at committee@cprederbysandnotts.org.uk.
