The annual search for Norfolk's volunteer wildlife heroes is under way – and there is still time to nominate potential award-winners before the April 30 deadline.

The Norfolk Community Biodiversity Awards celebrates individuals, groups, schools or businesses going the extra mile to conserve and enhance nature for their communities – and whose voluntary efforts are not part of the daily work of any conservation organisation.

Nominations must be made by the end of this month for the 2019 awards, which will cover six categories:

• Saving Species: Recognising individual or group efforts to improve the prospects of wildlife species or species groups.

• Groups: Recognising the achievements of groups working on biodiversity projects in their local community.

• Young People's Achievement: For individuals under 18, or those who enable young people to make a personal contribution to nature and biodiversity.

• Nature for Health and Wellbeing: Projects and activities that bring benefits for people's health and wellbeing alongside benefits for biodiversity, or knowledge of it, in the community.

• Churchyards and Cemeteries: Recognising action to care for churchyards and cemeteries so that they provide opportunities for nature to thrive.

• Above and Beyond: This award recognises efforts by professionals that go 'above and beyond' their paid hours to engage with communities and volunteers to bring about gains for biodiversity.

David North, chairman of the Norfolk Biodiversity Partnership (NBP) communities and nature topic group, which organises the awards, said: 'Across Norfolk many individual volunteers and community groups are working hard to look after and improve local wildlife sites. This crucial work deserves to be widely known about and celebrated.

'If you know of a group, or an individual, you think deserves to be nominated we would love to hear from you about the work they are doing. If you are involved with a volunteer conservation group please do consider putting your group forward. It's inspiring each year to hear about fantastic projects undertaken by local people who care about Norfolk's wildlife.'

The judges will be looking for evidence of biodiversity enhancement, as well as the degree of community involvement, and project long-term sustainability. Winners will be invited to an awards evening in Norwich in July.

The awards have been sponsored by Kelling Heath Holiday Park, The Landscape Partnership, Pensthorpe Natural Park, BIRDscapes, R and J Hogg and the Norfolk Biodiversity Partnership.

• To make a nomination complete the online nomination form see or download a PDF form from the Norfolk Biodiversity Partnership website and email it to biodiversityawards@norfolk.gov.uk.