Sally Hyman - RSPCA Llys Nini Branch
Charity volunteer Sally Hyman, 61, received an MBE for services to animal welfare and the environment, in recognition of her dedication to the RSPCA Llys Nini Branch. When she retired in 2005 she became the charity’s full-time, unpaid CEO, single-handedly transforming it into a thriving community enterprise.

The centre, which is affiliated with the RSPCA but a separate registered charity, now attracts around 20,000 visitors and helps over 3,600 animals each year. Under Sally’s guidance, hard work and enthusiasm, the branch has become a significant local employer, with 12 retail outlets providing the foundations for training and work placements for the long-term unemployed. A PAWS project also helps those with disabilities to access work.

Commenting on her award, the charity said: “We are all immensely proud of Sally’s achievements and of the amazing work she has done here at Llys Nini and for animal welfare over the last 40 years… Congratulations Sally. You are an inspiration to us all.”

Sally added: “I am very surprised but thrilled to get the award. I am also delighted that the great work done at Llys Nini has been recognised.”

Dr Michael Appleby - World Animal Protection
An OBE was also awarded to Dr Michael Appleby, who formerly worked as chief scientific adviser for World Animal Protection. Michael helped to produce India’s first code of practice for the management of dairy cows for both production and welfare. India is the world’s largest milk producer, so the regulations have the potential to improve the lives of over 50 million dairy animals.

Michael also helped to establish the University of Edinburgh’s MSc in Applied Animal Behaviour and Animal Welfare and recently finished editing the third edition of the book Animal Welfare, which is the main academic text for animal welfare courses around the world. He is currently lecturing at the University of Edinburgh.

He commented: “It is hugely exciting how the field of animal welfare has grown in importance in the last 30 years. It is now increasingly recognised as contributing to food security and both the good of people and the environment, as well as animals.

“I’m privileged that for 11 years at World Animal Protection, I was able to help improve animal welfare around the world. It’s been an honour to work alongside academic colleagues, all categories of NGOs, governments and others.”

Neil Hulme - Butterfly Conservation
Naturalist Neil Hulme, who almost single-handedly saved a rare butterfly from extinction in Sussex, has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for long-standing services to wildlife conservation. The Duke of Burgundy butterfly was on the brink of local extinction in 2003 when Neil began working with landowners and the South Downs National Park Authority to improve habitats. Some colonies of the butterfly have since expanded in Sussex to become among the largest in the UK, and the Duke is showing signs of expanding its range in the area.

Neil has dedicated much of his life to protecting butterflies and moths and has made a major contribution to protecting many other rare and vulnerable species. Neil is currently leading a project called Fritillaries For The Future, which aims to conserve highly threatened fritillary butterflies across Sussex.

Dr Dan Hoare, head of regions at Butterfly Conservation, described Neil as “a force of nature” whose knowledge, passion and “infectious enthusiasm”, mark him out as a rarity in himself. “The future is immeasurably bright for the butterflies of Sussex as a result of Neil’s efforts, and this award is richly deserved,” he added.

Speaking about his award, Neil said: “It is a great honour to be recognised in this manner and I'm absolutely delighted, but the conservation of butterflies is always a team effort, so it is equally a recognition of my colleagues, and particularly the volunteers of BC Sussex Branch. This is also for my parents; my passion for butterflies and dedication to helping them is entirely their fault!"

Brendan Joyce - Norfolk Wildlife Trust
Norfolk Wildlife Trust chief executive Brendan Joyce was awarded an OBE for services to wildlife conservation in Norfolk. In a career spanning three decades, Brendan has shown unwavering commitment to protecting the county’s wildlife.

Major achievements include undertaking a 50-year programme to create ecological networks and to help wildlife survive the threat of climate change. This has involved significant acquisitions of land across Norfolk, including Cley Marshes, Royden Common NNR and more recently 655 acres of Hickling Broad NNR. Projects to protect the county’s threatened habitats included the creation of new wetlands in the Wissey Valley and their restoration in the Broads National Park.

Brendan believes education is a key part of conserving nature for the future. Under his leadership, over 25,000 school children and local people attend events, workshops and nature reserve visits every year to learn about Norfolk’s wildlife and habitats, and the importance of preserving them.

Brendan commented: “It is an incredible honour to receive this award from our Patron, Her Majesty the Queen. In recognising my work for Norfolk’s wildlife, it also highlights the work of all those around me at the Trust both staff and volunteers. It also reflects a willingness amongst people in Norfolk to believe in the rights and value of our natural world and I am privileged to champion conservation on their behalf.”