Tammy Williams Talks To Vanessa Thomas-Williams on her MBE Award

Vanessa Thomas -Williams joined Tammy Williams on the Breakfast Show of the 5th January 2022 to discuss her MBE award in this years New Years Honours List.

Vanessa talks humbly about the notification process of the award and her plans to receive the actual MBE, how she started off in conservation, her time at Kew Gardens and how she was seconded back to St Helena in 2008 to conserve the endangered endemic species On Island, including the support of George Benjamin in the early years with many anecdote’s.  Then onto the type of work she has been conducting, including developing the next generation of conservationists.

For further background review the Press Release from the Governor’s Office:

NEW YEAR HONOURS AWARD 2022

HE Governor Dr Philip Rushbrook is pleased to announce the following New Year Honours 2022 Award, as endorsed by Her Majesty the Queen, to be published in the Overseas and International Honours List on 1 January 2022:

• Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) to Mrs Vanessa Thomas-Williams, Nursery Officer, Terrestrial Conservation, for Services to Conservation in St Helena.

Vanessa Thomas-Williams is being recognised for demonstrating unstinting commitment to conservation on St Helena. Vanessa started her career in conservation from a very young age working alongside of renowned Conservationist, the late Mr George Benjamin BEM. Vanessa developed a passion and drive for the restoration of St Helena’s critically endangered plants species with the aim of increasing their existence to sustainable and thriving levels.

Vanessa’s expertise in this field was further developed through professional training and exposure to horticultural work during her time spent at Kew Gardens back in 2005 where she was employed. Despite good prospects of remaining at Kew Gardens working alongside of some of the most highly regarded experts and scientists, Vanessa chose to return to St Helena to apply her expertise in helping to re-establish some of the most unique flora and fauna in the world.

Some of her most notable achievements include the revitalisation of the nursery at Scotland, where she encouraged and trained colleagues to implement good horticultural, propagation and seed banking practice. The seed bank now holds overs 3000 collections representing many endemic flowering plant species. Another example of Vanessa’s exemplary work was her commitment to saving the rare species of the Bastard Gumwood when it was thought to be nearly extinct after its rediscovery in 1982.  This intensive propagation project under Vanessa’s leadership started in 2009 and has to date produced over 6000 new trees now planted at various locations around the Island.

To date, Vanessa continues her work, advocating and showcasing the Island’s unique species with unwavering commitment, by taking part in events and talks which actively encourages interest and participation in conservation work. There are over 45 endemic plant species and many now grow abundantly in public spaces such as post box walks, which can now be enjoyed by both residents and visitors to the Island alike. These unique plants are a testament to the hard work invested by Vanessa and her team.

Vanessa acts as a conservation champion for St Helena. She has teamed up with universities and institutions abroad and conducted studies where several new and important discoveries have been made on improving conservation techniques.  Through many other engagements and initiatives Vanessa has helped put St Helena on the global conservation stage. Vanessa’s achievements and continuous efforts in protecting the Island’s inherent endemic plant species are highly regarded by international conservationists and her positive contribution towards enhancing global biodiversity has been recognised as highly deserving of this award.