My name is Hannah Mintram; I am an environmental Advisor who works as part of DIO’s Safety Environment and Engineering Team.
As you’ll know if you read my last blog, each year, I work with my colleagues from the team to produce Sanctuary magazine and organise the Sanctuary Awards on behalf of the MOD. This October Sanctuary magazine celebrated its 40th anniversary at a special event, when this year’s awards were handed out.
![A number of labelled horseshoes found on the dig. [Richard Osgood; Crown Copyright]](https://insideDIO.blog.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2014/10/2014-Sept-Horseshoe-finds-Richard-Osgood-Crown-Copyright.jpg)
The MOD's First Conservation Officer - Lt Col Clayden
This year’s edition features the inspirational work of Lt Colonel (Retired) Norman Clayden, who was the MOD’s first Conservation Officer back in 1973. The role of the first Conservation Officer was created in response to the recommendations of the Nugent Committee, which recommended that the MOD do more to manage their land and reduce “noise, eyesores and unexploded ordinance”. Lt Colonel Clayden was considered a perfect choice for the role of Conservation Officer, as he had recently retired as an Army Officer and was a keen naturalist, with 20 year’s experience as the Chair of the Army’s Ornithological Society.
Conservation Groups and Sanctuary
He was instrumental in setting up conservation groups across the Defence estate and within a short period of time, had set up 35 groups. Norman’s modern day legacy is a national network of 120 conservation groups supporting sustainability and environmental projects across the estate. In addition to setting up a network of groups, he produced a newsletter to keep the bourgeoning network of groups informed. From these humble beginnings Sanctuary has grown from a paper newsletter distributed to 300 partners to a glossy magazine which, at its height, printed 25,000 copies. Sanctuary is now available digitally, with a small print run funded by industry partners and contractors who deliver a range of projects across the estate.
![DIO's Training Estate contractors Landmarc were Runners Up in the Environmental Project Award category for their work reducing flooding on a public byway on Elstead Common. [Landmarc]](https://insideDIO.blog.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2015/10/Ditches-being-dug-and-byway-raised-Landmarc.jpg)
MOD's Conservation Work
As times have changed, the role of the Conservation Officer has evolved and projects are delivered by a small team of Environmental Advisors, who continue Lt Colonel Clayden’s work. Over the past four decades, the conservation agenda has expanded and our team now have a broader range of responsibilities that include developing and delivering DIO’s forthcoming 2015-20 Sustainability Strategy; with a particular focus on clean renewable energy and water conservation.
![Some examples of conservation work undertaken on the MOD estate in 2015. [Crown Copyright/MOD 2015]](https://insideDIO.blog.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2015/10/Sanctuary-A4-Infographic-Oct-2015.jpg)
1 comment
Comment by Leslie Greaves posted on
I had the great pleasure of assisting Norman Claydon when I was the
PSA Area Grounds Maintenance Officer at the Shrewsbury Office in
the 1970's. Then in S. Wales in the mid 80's then at Aldershot during the remainder of the 80's until retirement in 1995.
The sites included Lichfield, Donnington, Leek, RAF Brawdy, Castle
Martin, Pendine, then Aldershot Military Town and Sandhurst Academy and other sites within the Area.
During my tour in Germany in the early 80's I worked closely with the BundesForstAmt.