Herniman was nominated for the award by the trust’s chief executive and founder Dave Webb and his wife Kath.<\/p>\n
They said she had become “like a daughter” and it had been “obvious she was someone very special” when she arrived to volunteer.<\/p>\n
She was credited with helping enhance the wild areas at the trust’s new otter rehabilitation centre, helping with pond creation, tree planting and habitat improvement projects.<\/p>\n
When asked why she thought she had won the award, Herniman said: “I would say I’m a bridge between farming and conservation.<\/p>\n
“People think of it as two separate things, and more work needs to be done to bring them together to help our farmers and our environments, as they both play a key part in our UK habitats and ecosystems.<\/p>\n
“I’m completely overjoyed because I’ve always had a passion for wildlife and our natural habitats.<\/p>\n
“Getting to work with such a vital species and getting to see them every day is a privilege and means a lot to me.”<\/p>\n
Follow BBC Devon on X, external<\/a>, Facebook, external<\/a> and Instagram, external<\/a>. Send your story ideas to spotlight@bbc.co.uk, external<\/a>.<\/p>\n