MORE than 30 years of dedicated service by Bovey Tracey woman Ally Kohler to the Dartmoor National Park Authority (DNPA) has been recognised in the New Year Honours.

Alison (Ally) Kohler said she was ‘shocked and overwhelmed’ to receive the BEM (British Empire Medal).

Mrs Kohler, aged 59, said: ‘I feel very lucky to have spent my working life helping to look after Dartmoor and working with so many people who care deeply about the place.

‘I was shocked and overwhelmed when I received the news but I think it is a reflection of a wider team of people, the team at DNPA and our many partners, who come together to deliver positive things for Dartmoor.’

She joined the National Park Authority in 1988 as a recreation planner.

Over the following years she performed a number of roles for the authority including recreation management, access and tourism all of which required an understanding of the wider land management issues for the National Park.

She stood down as Director of Conservation and Communities for the Dartmoor National Park Authority at the beginning of the year.

Since then, she and her husband spent three weeks walking the Pennine Way: ‘It was an amazing journey over three weeks through a number of National Parks and AoNBs’

Kevin Bishop, CEO of the DNPA, said: ‘I am delighted that Ally Kohler’s dedication to Dartmoor National Park has been recognised in the New Year Honours.

‘She has left a legacy of practical achievement that has helped shape lives, improved Dartmoor’s environment and supported local communities. An inspiration for those who worked with her.’

The full list of Devon recipients is:

Dr Marcus Andrew Samuel, lately chief executive of North Sea Transition Authority. For services to the energy sector.

Officers of the Order of the British Empire

Dr Ross Hemingway, Civilian Medical Practitioner, Commando Training Centre Royal Marines. For services to the Royal Marines. Exeter.

Paulin Anne Barker, founder of the Devon and Cornwall Wild Swimming. From Plymouth. For services to swimming in south West England.

Julie Hawker, joint Chief Executive Officer, Cosmic. For services to the economy. From Exeter.

Dr Keith Hiscock, of Plymouth, a marine biologist for services to marine conservation.

Nicholas John Millington, of Exmouth, director Safety Task Force, Network Rail. Awarded for services to the railway and to the NHS during Covid-19.

Mark Victor Peter Ruston, of Torquay, an Inspector in the Devon and Cornwall Police, for services to policing.

Richard Charles Barrington Stevens, of Plymouth, managing director of Go South West for services to transport and to the community of Plymouth.

Angela Marie Bennett, of Plymouth, for voluntary service to the community in Plymouth.

Andrea Dawn Corrie, of Tiverton, a water safety campaigner, for services to water safety on the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames.

Anthony Marc Cussen, of Plymouth, for services to charity and to the community in Plymouth.

Mark Clive Escott, of Exeter, for services to education in the South West.

Kerry Ann James, of Plymouth. Foster carer, Plymouth City Council, for services to fostering.

The Reverend Innocent Nathan Kiyaga, of Torquay. Chair of the Devon and Cornwall Scrutiny Panel, School Chaplain, St Cuthbert Mayne School, and Area Dean, Church of England, Torbay. For services to the community in Devon and Cornwall.

Alison Jane Kohler, of Newton Abbot, lately director of Conservation and Communities, at the Dartmoor National Park. For services to conservation in Devon.

Julia Margaret Meredith, of Budleigh Salterton, for services to the community in Budleigh Salterton, Exeter and East Devon.

Zoe Elizabeth Sayers, from Plymouth, for services to the community in Kent during Covid-19.

Marilyn (Marie) Jane Whitehead, of Dawlish, for services to the community in Dawlish.