Lifetime achievement award for WWT scientist
Dr Baz Hughes, Head of Species Conservation at the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, Slimbridge has been presented with a Lifetime Achievement award by the International Wild Waterfowl Association.
The prestigious award is in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the conservation of wildlife species during his career. This accolade comes hot on the heels of Baz's 20th anniversary working for the Trust at the end of September.
Sunderland-born Baz, 42, who lives in Uley with his wife and three children, began working for WWT as a 13-year-old schoolboy back in 1979, when he worked as a volunteer developing the Trust's new centre at WWT Washington. After carrying out his Biology degree at Durham University, Baz began working for WWT at Slimbridge in 1987 where he studied the ecology and behaviour of Ruddy Ducks in the UK for a PhD.
Between 1994 and 1999 he was WWT's Head of Species Management and Conservation, heading a team conducting conservation research. Between 1999 and 2004 he was Head of Threatened Species Department, taking responsibility for WWT's field conservation and captive breeding programmes. And since 2004, Baz has been Head of Species Conservation taking overall responsibility for WWT's waterbird monitoring, research and conservation activities.
Baz has 20 years professional experience in waterfowl ecology and has published over 100 scientific papers and reports, 50 popular articles and, since 1999, has been Chair of the IUCN-SSC/Wetlands International Threatened Waterfowl Specialist Group.
Commenting on his award, Baz said: "I am honoured to receive this award from the IWWA, which wouldn't have been possible without the support of my friends and colleagues at the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust. Working for WWT has made me realise that it really is possible to make a difference and save the world's most threatened waterfowl and their wetland habitats. You can even come along to our centres to see them all too!"
