We’re delighted to celebrate the success of Tom Ewin, who has just completed his placement year with Norfolk FWAG as part of his BSc (Hons) Environmental Land Management degree at Harper Adams University. Tom has been named the Bishop of Norwich Sustainable Environment Young Employee of the Year 2025, receiving the award at the Royal Norfolk Show along with a £1,000 prize.
Judges praised Tom as “a passionate communicator for the environment, a young man with both practical and theoretical skills, with an ability to communicate his passion to a wide range of people.”
This award is a fitting recognition of the hard work, enthusiasm, and dedication Tom has shown throughout his year with us.
Tom’s Placement Year with Norfolk FWAG
Reflecting on his time with FWAG, Tom described the year as “an incredibly rewarding and eye-opening experience” that gave him a real-world perspective on conservation, land management, and farming.
From day one, Tom was keen to get stuck in. What started as shadowing colleagues quickly grew into him taking the lead on exciting projects — whether visiting farms, walking wetland sites, supporting habitat management plans, or engaging with landowners.
One particular highlight was coordinating the Broads deer management project, working alongside the Broads Authority and Forestry Commission to secure DEFRA funding. The project included subsidised deer manager training, a local venison supply chain, and drone-led deer surveys to guide ethical and effective management. As Tom reflected, it was “a great example of how farming and conservation can work together to protect the landscape while creating local food opportunities.”
Beyond that, Tom gained experience in soil health assessments, GIS mapping, stewardship advice, report writing, natural flood management, and habitat surveys. Every day brought new challenges, and he embraced the opportunity to apply his academic learning to practical, on-the-ground solutions.
Looking to the Future
Tom is now preparing to return to Harper Adams for his final year of study, taking with him the skills, confidence, and experiences gained during his time with us. Speaking about his future, he said:
“This placement has confirmed my passion for practical conservation and landscape-scale land management, and I’m grateful to have had the chance to learn from such an experienced and supportive team.”
We couldn’t be prouder of what Tom has achieved during his year at Norfolk FWAG, and we’re thrilled that his passion and commitment have been recognised with such a prestigious award.
Supporting the Next Generation
Tom’s success highlights the importance of placement opportunities in helping to develop the next generation of environmental professionals. At Norfolk FWAG, we are committed to offering students the chance to gain hands-on experience, learn from specialists, and contribute to meaningful projects that make a real difference across Norfolk.
Interested in gaining hands-on experience in conservation and land management? Get in touch with Norfolk FWAG today to discuss upcoming placement opportunities.
Read more about Tom’s award win in the Eastern Daily Press and on the Harper Adams University website.