Operation Kingfisher is the name given to QWAG’s ongoing project, conceived in 1990, which set out to improve local understanding of urban rivers and, through that understanding, facilitate the restoration of the River Quaggy.
Last September QWAG entered the project for a prestigious BURA Award for Community Inspired Regeneration. Today it was announced that it had been selected as a runner-up, one of only 8 projects recognised from an entry of over 150.
In the panel’s view the project is particularly interesting as QWAG has evolved from a group with a very specific focus to one taking a leading role in a coalition of bodies delivering wider environmental improvements in the area. As well as being involved with the physical work of regeneration, the work of the group has catalysed other community members who are now empowered to ‘pick up and run with’ their own projects and ideas.
The runners-up award will be presented to QWAG at an awards lunch and ceremony, to take place at the House of Lords on the 20th March. A more detailed report on how the award was won and its significance to QWAG will be published at that time.