360 Observatory beat off six other challengers in a public vote to win the Best Environment Project. It will receive a £2,000 cash prize to spend on the project as well as a coveted National Lottery Awards trophy.

Project Manager Emyr Evans said: “It is a great honour to receive a National Lottery Award, and the awards ceremony was an unforgettable experience for everyone at our project.

“The opportunity to showcase the work we do and the difference we make in our community, thanks to National Lottery funding, to an audience of millions was a once in a life time opportunity. We are grateful to everyone who voted for us, and for the support of National Lottery players.”

About the project

Run by the Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust, the observatory, built with £1.4million funding from HLF, sits in the middle of the Cors Dyfi wetland near Machynlleth in west Wales.
The three-floor observatory overlooks the habitat of many rare plant and animal species, and a boardwalk across the wetland enables access for all. Visitors can explore nature close up at viewing points on the boardwalks, with hi-tech equipment to take in the observatory’s 360-degree view, and through HD cameras which capture highlights and share them.

The rare ospreys that nest less than 200m away, with three chicks successfully reared this year, have been particular stars. Cameras have live streamed the ospreys’ lives to the world, from courtship, nesting, hatching and fledging, to their recent migration.

Wildlife presenter Michaela Strachan visited for Springwatch before the observatory and boardwalk were built, and has followed the highs and lows of the birds’ story over recent years.She returned to the project to see the observatory and make a short film, which will be shown on The National Lottery Stars on BBC One on Monday 21 September 10.35pm, as she presents them with their award.

The National Lottery Awards

The National Lottery Awards celebrates the incredible work of large and small projects, funded by National Lottery players, and the effect they make to local communities the length and breadth of the UK. The seven categories in the National Lottery Awards, reflect the main areas of Lottery funding: arts, education, environment, health, heritage, sport, and voluntary/charity. Over £34million is raised by the National Lottery every week for projects across the UK.

John Barrowman, who will presenting the show for the sixth year, added: “The National Lottery Awards celebrate the UK’s favourite Lottery-funded projects as voted for by the Great British public. They are all about making the unsung heroes behind life-changing projects feel like stars for the night and showing off their amazing work to viewers.

“Every year I am struck by the variety of projects The National Lottery funds and how they are making communities up and down the country better places to live. You won’t be disappointed with the stories of this year’s winners and everyone who plays the National Lottery will feel proud of the difference they make.”