WATER Gardening Installer Dan Upsher has brought home an unprecedented double award for his company after attending a recent industry leading award ceremony in America.

DU Waterscapes fended off competition from water gardening companies across the world at the recent and highly renowned Pondomonium in Chicago. 

From a pool of over 1500 possible winners, Dan Upsher won two of the seven available category awards, personally selected by the CEO and VP of Aquascape Incorporated, the leading company in ponds and water features.

Dan Upsher was honoured to have been awarded Conservationist of the Year 2024 by VP Ed Beaulieu for his passion and understanding of Aquatic Habitats. 

With Dan’s Masters degree in Aquatic Ecology, Ed praised Dan’s “pursuit in educating people about our natural environment by connecting them with water, the way nature intended”.

The Chris Baker Spirit Award was personally selected by Greg Wittstock, CEO of Aquascape, awarded for Dan’s “lifelong pursuit of adventure” whilst “living life to the fullest”. 

Greg said: “For the first time since we lost Chris to Cancer, we chose a fellow Brit as a representative of the Chris Baker Spirit Award. Chris’s zest for travel, and to live each day to its fullest is the same spirit I recognise in Dan. Tomorrow is guaranteed to none of us. Dan like Chris, lives each day to its fullest.”

Dan Upsher said: “it is a true honour to be recognised within the Aquascape network for my efforts in protecting and preserving our aquatic ecosystem, starting right in people’s gardens!  Hopefully this award will help me to further inspire and educate the next generations to keep looking after what is so important to me.”

DU Waterscapes was started ten years ago by entrepreneur Dan Upsher to design and build naturally inspired water features. 

With DU Waterscape’s successes, in spring 2024, he and his partner Emily Lukes opened a new water garden centre and design studio. 

Aqua Eden is dedicated to inspiring, educating, and empowering people to enjoy naturally balanced water gardening and is based at Jordans Courtyard near Ilminster. 

Jordans Courtyard is a creative base for local artisans that also offers tea rooms, luxury homewares, yoga and more. 

Aqua Eden has a wide range of pond plants, advice, DIY kits as well as DU Waterscape’s displays, professional maintenance and build services.

Bringing water into your garden is vital for supporting nature, caring for your own mental and physical health and for everyone to make their own contribution to tackling climate change.

Dan and Emily offer water gardening advice, supplies and courses from their studio in Ilminster.