Volunteer Of The Year

Niki doing what she loves best, getting stuck in with volunteering. In this case fitting "Cactus" tree guards with Bob Gillingham to Native Black Poplars in a field adjacent to the River Stour.

Congratulations to Niki Harper in being honoured by Wimborne Minster Town Council as “Volunteer of the Year 2026” in recognition of her outstanding dedication and enthusiasm in the persuit of getting more trees planted in and around Wimborne.

As project leader of Trees for Wimborne Niki has inspired her loyal group of volunteers to transform the three main planting projects, namely Dogdean SANG, Brook Road bridleway/Stourview SANG and Ainsley Road bridleway from their previous barren or neglected states into the  small woodlands and hedgerows they will become over the next few years.

Niki is also recongised as being a national authority on Native Black Poplars, this project forms a large part of Trees for Wimborne’s work.

Picture of people resting during a tree maintenance task
A welcome break at Brook Road
Picture of 3 people planting a tree
Planting at Dogdean
Picture of Niki watering a Black Poplar in a field
Black Poplar watering near the Stour
Riverfly Monitoring with an audience