Posted on: Friday 18 November 2022
The Council’s Local Places for Nature Co-ordinator, Veronika Brannovic, has been named a climate change hero by the National Lottery.
Vee started work with Torfaen Council in March 2020 and has spearheaded the Local Places for Nature project, which encourages wild growth, and covers both Torfaen and Blaenau Gwent.
She is now one of a number of individuals to be immortalised in a piece of digital art by artist Yoniest Chun to celebrate how Lottery funding is helping to protect the environment.
Veronika said, "It’s amazing. Personally, I get a little bit embarrassed about attention, but it’s a team effort – I haven’t just done this by myself. My colleagues and volunteers that have been involved, they helped make it happen.
"We’ve made a massive change. We’re now working across 150 sites across Torfaen which is quite an achievement. It’s an achievement for the whole team that are working on it.
"I love nature and always have, even as a child. I grew up quite rurally and thought it was my playground really. I played out quite a lot and just loved catching grasshoppers and watching otters, things like that.
"After that we moved to a post-industrial area, which you think might be different, but I loved exploring those environments. That big connection to nature and the natural environment, I wanted to do something that helped that while tackling the climate emergency.
"Working in conservation is hugely important to me, even just making a difference locally.”
Councillor Mandy Owen, Executive Member for the Environment, said: “We are really proud of Veronika and all of the work she does with the community to promote the environment and conservation.
“Her passion has clearly shone through, and I would like to congratulate her on her nomination, she thoroughly deserves the recognition”.
Next week it’s Wales Climate Week and the theme is public engagement and action on climate change. Follow #CutTheCarbon and #NurtureNatureTorfaen on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to find out more.
Tell us what you think about the Council's plan to protect the local environment and improve sustainability here: https://getinvolved.torfaen.gov.uk/the-county-plan
Find out how Torfaen Council is planning to improve sustainability over the next 5 years here: https://www.torfaen.gov.uk/en/AboutTheCouncil/Climate-change/Climate-change-and-nature-emergency.aspx
Find out more about the Local Nature Partnership for Torfaen and Blaenau Gwent here: https://www.torfaen.gov.uk/lgsl/en/Countryside/Biodiversity/Torfaen-Biodiversity-Partnership.aspx