Forestry Commission Wales Conservation Officer Iolo lloyd is used to seeing the spotlight turned on the many endangered animals and plants he devotes his working life to protecting in the forests of North Wales.
But today (Thursday, October 7) the focus was firmly on a stunned Iolo as he was presented with FC Wales's Millennial Bowl, awarded annually to a member of staff who has made an outstanding contribution to preserving the archaeology in Welsh Assembly Government woodlands.
Iolo thought he was meeting Forestry Commissioners and senior staff at Caerau Enclosures in Clocaenog Forest to explain how the rare Przewalski's Horses he was instrumental in introducing to the forest were helping to manage the ancient site.
But he was staggered when FC Wales Director Simon Hewitt interrupted his "masterclass" in how to look after a prehistoric Scheduled Ancient Monument to present him with the prized Millennial Bowl, fittingly made from a 2,000-year-old oak from another FC Wales archaeological site.
Iolo is well known throughout North Wales for his conservation work to give endangered forest animals such as the red squirrel, the black grouse and the dormouse a better chance of survival by creating the sort of woodland habitats they need.
But it was his imaginative approach to managing the Enclosures by re-introducing three Przewalski's horses to graze the sensitive site that caught the judging panel's eye.
The horses, which are classified as extinct in the wild, were introduced from the Welsh Mountain Zoo in Colwyn Bay and are surplus mares from the European Endangered Species Breeding Programme which the zoo is involved in.
The horses roam around a 12-acre "paddock" in the woods which has been designated as a Scheduled Ancient Monument by the conservation body Cadw because it was once a Neolithic/Iron Age settlement with livestock enclosures where animals were held overnight or during the seasonal movement of grazing regimes.
Presenting the award to Iolo, Simon said, "Re-introducing the Przewalski's horses to the forest was a masterstroke of sustainable management. As well as showing an appreciation of this most sensitive site, it helps in the conservation of an internationally endangered species.
"Iolo is a firm friend to the many threatened species in our forests whose prospects for the future are infinitely brighter thanks to all his efforts to create a more favourable environment for them to live in our woods.
"Iolo also has a 'feel' for the many important archaeological sites in our woods, and it's for his work in helping to preserve these for future generations that he deserves this coveted award."
NOTES TO EDITOR
Iolo Lloyd
· Iolo joined the Forestry Commission in January 1988 and has worked in North Wales all his career.
· A Welsh speaker, Iolo has always been deeply interested in conservation and wildlife management.
· As well as his FC Wales career, Iolo is also manages his own sheep farm.
The Millennial Bowl
· The Millennial Bowl was made from a 2,000-year-old oak tree on a FC Wales archaeological site.
· Created in 1998, the award is made annually to FC Wales staff for outstanding achievement in the field of archaeology on the Assembly's woodlands.
· Previous recipients are Chris Edwards, Wil Jones, Michelle Bromley, Chris Tucker and Tim Harland (joint), Martin Gould and Gareth Jones, and Will Jones.
Forestry Commission Wales
Forestry Commission Wales is the government department responsible for forestry policy and looks after the 320,000 acres (130,000 ha) of public forests owned by the Welsh Assembly Government.
Media enquiries to Forestry Commission Wales Assistant Information Officer, Marian Gray, on 01970 625866, mobile 07787 757982.
More information on the woodlands of Wales can also be found on the Forestry Commission’s website – www.forestry.gov.uk