Paragon Veterinary Group has garnered national recognition for its staunch efforts in nature protection and climate change combat.

A Cumbrian practice, Paragon won the 'Natural Environment Champion' title at the Investors in the Environment (iiE) Awards, and scooped the iiE's silver 'investors in the environment' accreditation.

Paragon also clinched the 'Green Veterinary Practice of the Year' award at the Veterinary Green Awards.

Their very own Laura Binnie, a small animal vet and sustainability lead at Paragon, was named joint winner of 'Vet Personality of the Year'.

Ms Binnie said: "To get this recognition is wonderful. We hope that, by winning these awards, we can encourage other veterinary practices to follow suit.

"The environment has always been a priority for me personally and, as a practice and a business, we feel we have a responsibility to do what we can to minimise our environmental impact.

"We have to think of the next generation. We can’t leave the world as it is and the way it is heading."

Paragon is located in Dalston, near Carlisle. Additional surgeries can be found at Newbiggin near Penrith, Wetheral, and Shap.

These award-winning initiatives aim to increase biodiversity, slash waste and energy use, enhance recycling, and curb harmful emissions all in a bid to achieve net-zero status by 2030. To ensure this end, every branch of Paragon boasts a specifically designated well-being and wildlife garden.

This garden incorporates bee and insect hotels, bird feeders, bat boxes and robin hides, pollen plants, and long grass to cater to hedgehogs. The area also offers a scenic outdoor space for staff.

St Michael's Primary School children have lent a hand in planting trees and sowing wildflower seeds in Dalston's garden, which features a bog garden and pond.

The most ambitious venture is at Newbiggin, where, aided by a Forestry Commission grant, Paragon is introducing a three-hectare native broadleaf woodland with reinstated hedgerows and a wildflower meadow encased within.

The iiE Awards judges commended Paragon for the extensive efforts made to bolster nature enhancement. Efforts such as the recent adoption of methods to reduce up to a third of emissions of isoflurane, a greenhouse gas.

Furthermore, trackers on vets' vehicles to eradicate unnecessary mileage and solar panels aim to lower electricity costs by one-third.

2019 saw Paragon become the first UK practice to achieve an 'outstanding' rating under the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons' new environmental sustainability module and award.

It also bagged two RHS Cumbria In Bloom awards for the Dalston garden – 'gold' in biodiversity, and 'outstanding' in the neighbourhood category.

More information on the award-winning environmental steps can be found at https://www.paragonvet.com/.