Media Releases

WIRES announced as finalist in the Green Globe Awards

Tuesday, October 10, 2017

The NSW Wildlife Information Rescue & Education Service Inc. (WIRES) is proud to announce that it has been selected as a finalist in this year’s Green Globe Awards, with winners to be announced on 19 October 2017.

Now in its 18th year, the Green Globe Awards recognize sustainability and environmental leadership across NSW.

WIRES CEO Leanne Taylor said, “This is the first time we’ve entered these awards and we’re thrilled to be shortlisted as a finalist from amongst a very strong field of environmental and sustainability leaders”.

There are 10 categories in the Awards including the natural and built environment, innovation, resource efficiency, and the 'Best of the Best' Premier's Award for Environmental Excellence.

WIRES is one of four finalists in the ‘Natural Environment Award’. This award recognizes leadership in protecting and enhancing natural ecosystems, including native plants and animals, threatened species, natural habitats, forests, water resources, land systems and soils, and biodiversity.

“After more than three decades of caring for Australia’s wildlife, we know that WIRES can demonstrate without a doubt the benefit that we offer to the community,” said Ms. Taylor.

“We are deeply committed to assisting individual animals but also the long-term protection and preservation of native species.

“Key to their survival is the conservation of their native habitats,” said Ms Taylor.

WIRES’ ‘rescue and release’ approach is designed to assist as many animals as possible to return to the wild and its quality of training and regional reach are unsurpassed in wildlife rescue.

“Over the past decade, WIRES has fielded more than one million calls from around NSW, providing a vital service to native animals and to members of the community,” said Ms Taylor. “It’s a record we are very proud of.”

Every year - through rescue calls, wildlife information and education calls, and community events - WIRES engages personally with thousands of individuals, helping them to better understand and interact with wildlife.

WIRES has 2,500 volunteers (trained rescuers and carers) in 27 branches around NSW. To recruit new volunteers the organisation runs around 40 training courses per year and another 40 specialist species courses.

“The demand for wildlife assistance has increased each year that we’ve been in operation,” said Ms Taylor. “The organization has had to adapt and improve its systems to be able to cope with the demand and respond as quickly as possible”.

This has sometimes meant partnering with other organizations. For example, WIRES and Sydney Metropolitan Wildlife Service work together to offer a rescue service for flying foxes and microbats, providing much better outcomes for these vulnerable species.

“WIRES’ ongoing commitment to help wildlife and the incredible pace of change in the world around us drives us to continuously create and implement new ways to protect and preserve wildlife for future generations,” said Ms. Taylor.

“We’re excited to be part of the Green Globe Awards as it provides recognition of the leadership and innovation that WIRES has shown in the wildlife rescue sector and we hope it inspires our people to continue their excellent work and inspire others to do the same.”

Read more about the 36 finalists from across NSW by visiting: http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/funding-and-support/awards-and-recognition/green-globe-awards

Media Contact: Paula Wallace, 0404 088 501, paula@wires.org.au

Contact media@wires.org.au for enquiries or call 0416 272 153.

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