Our year for wildlife - The Wildlife Trusts' impact report 2019/2020
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Our year for wildlife The Wildlife Trusts’ impact report 2019/2020
Together,
we can do it
In these pages you’ll see examples of what, together, we are
able to achieve. That’s together as a collection of Wildlife
Trusts, together with our collective members, supporters,
volunteers, funders and stakeholders. Together, with you.
From the places saved, to the wildlife protected or the people inspired and
nurtured to become the next nature warriors, we couldn’t do it without you.
Yet, we know that our natural world continues to be in trouble, with wildlife
disappearing at an alarming rate and the threat of climate catastrophe a
constant worry. That is why The Wildlife Trusts are calling for at least 30%
COVER: © NEIL ALDRIDGE. P2: PINE MARTEN © MARK HAMBLIN/2020VISION
of land and sea to be connected and protected for nature’s recovery by 2030.
So these pages are testament to your support — and we thank you — but it
is just the start; 2020 has been a difficult year, but the next ten years must be
about renewal and rewilding our lives. We hope that you’ll continue on this
journey with us.
Peta Foxall, Craig Bennett,
Chair Chief Executive
2 | Our year for wildlife
ELDERLY LADY GARDENING © PENNY DIXIE; FROG © STU BROWN; THICK-LEGGED FLOWER BEETLE © ALAN PRICE; HERMIT CRAB © AMY LEWIS; OUTDOOR LEARNING © HELENA
DOLBY FOR SRWT; COOT © ANDREW PARKINSON/2020VISION
Our year for wildlife | 3
A year for wildlife
Some highlights from across the Wildlife Trusts
SEPTEMBER
London Wildlife Trust,
Butterfly Conservation
and the Natural History
AUGUST Museum launched
Brilliant Butterflies
MAY JUNE 284 water voles were with the aim of
JULY released into streams creating and restoring
After decades of Gwent Wildlife that flow into the chalk grassland
campaigning by The Trust celebrated the Rare insect-eating Kielder Reservoir by habitat, working with
Wildlife Trusts for scrapping of plans to plants were returned the team behind the volunteers and local
APRIL protection at sea, a build a new motorway to a north-west Restoring Ratty project, communities. Funded
further 41 Marine over the Gwent Levels nature reserve after which takes the total by the Dream Fund
Sussex Wildlife Trust Conservation Zones after years of standing a 150-year absence. number reintroduced Award thanks to players
and Friends of Rye were announced by up for the precious Reintroductions of the into the area up to 1,489 of People’s Postcode
Harbour Nature the Environment wildlife that live there. fascinating sundew since June 2017. This Lottery, it provides an
Reserve joined forces Secretary, Michael The area is Wales’ and bladderwort fantastic project to excellent opportunity
to fundraise for a new Gove, marking the most equivalent of the plants took place on boost numbers of this for residents to work
Discovery Centre on significant expansion Amazon rainforest in Risley Moss and on endangered animal is alongside specialists
the site. The centre of England’s ‘Blue Belt’ terms of sheer diversity Lancashire Wildlife a partnership between to learn new skills
will transform the to date. Stretching and is like no other Trust’s Astley Moss as Northumberland including surveying
experience of all that from Cornwall to place in the UK. It was part of the £265,000 Wildlife Trust, Kielder and identifying, as
visit the Rye Harbour Northumberland, a long and hard-fought Manchester Mosslands Water and Forest Park, well as practical
nature reserve, sharing the new protections battle but goes to show Species Reintroduction Forestry England conservation skills; the
the rich heritage of safeguard 12,000 km2 that people can make a project, of which both and Tyne River newly created habitats
the place, as well as of marine habitat. difference by standing The Wildlife Trust for Trust, and was made should also burst into
explaining more about With 50 zones already together and speaking Lancashire, Manchester possible thanks to a life with butterflies,
the very special natural designated in 2013 and out for what is right for and North Merseyside £421,000 grant from wildflowers and insects
environment and 2016, this takes the total the future of people, and Cheshire Wildlife The National Lottery in abundance in
wildlife found here. number up to 91. wildlife and our planet. Trust are part. Heritage Fund. coming years.
4 | Our year for wildlife
Photo credits: April © Emma Forward; May © Paul Naylor; June © Neil Aldridge;
July © Ben Hall/2020VISION; August, October © Terry Whittaker/2020VISION;
September © Chris Lawrence; November © Jon Dunkelman; December © Amy
Lewis; January © Chris Wood; February © Craig Allardyce; March © Steve Davis
JANUARY
With plans for HS2
NOVEMBER forging ahead, The
Wildlife Trusts
OCTOBER The Wildlife Trusts in published a report
south-west England that revealed the vast MARCH
18 pine martens were commissioned an scale of destruction
released into the important report into DECEMBER the railway’s route FEBRUARY The UK’s first ‘super’
Forest of Dean, thanks insect declines and why will cause to nature. National Nature Reserve
to the hard work they matter, authored With the hugely The report, What’s the Scottish Wildlife Trust has been created on
of Gloucestershire by expert Professor popular Attenborough damage? Why HS2 will welcomed the Scottish Purbeck Heaths, thanks
Wildlife Trust and Dave Goulson. The Nature Reserve near cost nature too much, Government’s decision to a collaboration
partners on Project Pine report summarised Nottingham up for collated data from to save protected between Dorset
Marten. Once common the best available sale, Nottinghamshire the 14 Wildlife Trusts, wildlife site, Coul Wildlife Trust and six
throughout the UK and evidence of declines Wildlife Trust other charities and Links, from becoming other neighbouring
Ireland, pine martens and proposed a set launched an appeal to landowners affected a golf course after they landowners. Comparable
have undergone an of actions that could purchase it — and were by the plans to provide refused permission in size to Blackpool,
extensive decline due be taken at all levels blown away by the a comprehensive for the damaging this super site is home
to habitat loss and of society to recover support they received! assessment of the development plans to to rare and varied
predator control in both insect diversity Donations flooded broad range of impacts go ahead. The move wildlife, which will
recent decades. This and abundance. in thanks to none of HS2 on protected to protect arguably benefit from the area
clever mustelid is not This kickstarted a other than Sir David wildlife sites, species Scotland’s most being bigger and better
only a charismatic and new Wildlife Trust Attenborough giving and landscape important wetlands joined up. Sand lizards,
attractive part of our campaign, Action for it his backing, as well restoration projects. was the result of many the Dartford warbler
British fauna, but also Insects, which calls a generous donation The publication months of hard work and silver-studded blue
an important woodland for change in policy from long-term culminated in a publicly and campaigning, with butterfly are just some
predator, with its own and behaviour, whilst supporter Broxtowe backed campaign to ask thousands of people of the wonderful and
unique role within the providing practical Borough Council and a the Prime Minister to lending their voice and rare species that will
natural dynamics of actions that we can grant of £750,000 from Stop and Rethink standing up for nature stand a better chance
woodland ecosystems. all take. Biffa Award. the project. in support. of survival.
Our year for wildlife | 5
The Wildlife Trusts
GREY SEAL © ALEXANDER MUSTARD/2020VISION
6 | Our year for wildlife
850,000
More than
members More than
42,500
volunteers including corporate
volunteers taking part in Wild Work days
46 2,300
More than
Wildlife Trusts
nature reserves
= Wildlife Trust nature reserves
Our year for wildlife | 7
OUTDOOR CLASSROOM © HELENA DOLBY 8 | Our year for wildlife
94,442
people spoke up for nature
14.4 million
12,736
through one of our campaigns
visits were made to our nature reserves,
where people enjoyed and found solace in
people gained new skills wild places cared for by the Wildlife Trusts
on our training courses
1.66 million
hours were given by 37,038
388,000
people connected with nature through
our annual 30 Days Wild challenge
38,808
volunteers with an additional
hours by 5,557
corporate volunteers
368,457
children and adults reached
through Wildlife Trust-led
sessions with schools,
care homes and
407,642
people attended events
community
groups
Bringing wildlife to local communities
Carrie began volunteering at
Suffolk Wildlife Trust in April
2019 as a full-time student,
before going on to fulfil a
summer internship with the
Conservation Team.
During her time at Suffolk Wildlife Trust,
CARRIE © SUFFOLK WILDLIFE TRUST
she gained new skills and brushed up on
her natural history knowledge, learning
how to complete water vole, dormice,
badger, bat and botany surveys. Carrie
also gained experience of working in an
Meet Carrie
office, where she wrote up surveys and
gained insight into responding to planning
applications, assessing the impact on
wildlife of each individual case — a skill
she could put towards her degree.
Whilst all these new skills were very afternoon tea, sweep netting for insects or In fact she enjoyed her internship so
valuable, Carrie felt that she gained even making butterfly wings and woodland much that she continues to be in touch
the most through the outreach and creations using natural materials such as with her Wildlife Trust colleague, Lucy,
engagement work she took part in — blackberries and leaves as decoration. and has helped out over holiday periods
as no day or session was ever the same! alongside completing her dissertation on
Sessions changed with the seasons and During the summer, Carrie grew to one of the nature reserves!
there was always something new to learn, feel part of a community that included
explore and discover with the children, toddlers, primary school children, home- The majority of Wildlife Trusts offer
to keep them interested and everyone on educated teenagers, mums, dads, aunties traineeships and internships for young
their toes! A Thursday morning could bring and grandparents — all within the people. To find out what opportunities
a Wild Tots session with a mud kitchen, greenspaces of Ipswich. there are in your Trust, visit
wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-trusts
10 | Our year for wildlifeBringing wildlife to local communities
friendly, showcasing how green recovery
YOUNG ENVIRONMENTALISTS © OUR BRIGHT FUTURE, ULSTER WILDLIFE TRUST
was possible — and with other members
of the group is now planning a social
media campaign and series of events
around the changes needed.
Although Leah and other members of
the group have been unable to meet
face-to-face due to lockdown and a
Meet Northern
vast geographical spread, they quickly
formed a great team, displaying both
initiative and leadership in dealing with
Ireland’s young
the challenging circumstances — and are
supportive of each other and celebrate
environmentalists
successes as they go. They communicate
via WhatsApp and are also active in many
other groups including Young Farmers
Clubs and school eco groups and have
been sharing their activities and training
with their peers too, helping others to
A group of young, passionate They started out by attending some take action for a green recovery.
environmentalists — including training sessions led by campaign
Leah — were quick to respond experts as part of the Our Bright Future Wildlife Trusts across the movement
to a call from Ulster Wildlife programme, after which they began to have run similar projects through the
for creative ideas to influence meet with local political leaders including Our Bright Future programme, working
policy for a Green Recovery Edwin Poots, Minister for Agriculture, with 11-24 year olds to help them gain
in Northern Ireland following Environment and Rural Affairs, to share vital skills and experience. Find out more
the Covid-19 outbreak at the their ideas. At this particular meeting, about Our Bright Future, which is led by
beginning of the year. Leah was able to demonstrate some of The Wildlife Trusts and funded by The
the practical steps she had taken on National Lottery Community Fund at
her own farm to make it more wildlife- wildlifetrusts.org/our-bright-future
Our year for wildlife | 11BEAVER RELEASE © NICK UPTON/NATUREPL.COM 12 | Our year for wildlife
12,000km
New protections safeguard an additional
2
103,999ha
of marine habitat thanks to
campaigning by The Wildlife Trusts
of land cared for as Wildlife Trust
nature reserves
41
new Marine Conservation Zones
9,932km
of rivers and streams looked after
7,776km
allowing freshwater wildlife to thrive
and an additional
of rivers and streams improved for
8,700ha
wildlife after receiving advice from
The Wildlife Trusts
of land improved for wildlife under
our Biodiversity Benchmark scheme,
working with corporates
17,531ha
The future of
197,433ha
of private land improved for
of land influenced by responding
to planning applications
wildlife after receiving advice
from The Wildlife TrustsLooking after wildlife and wild places
A nursery ground for young fish One Wildlife Trust that has been In turn by keeping this habitat healthy,
and safe haven for seahorses, particularly active is Hampshire & fish numbers will improve in the area,
our undersea meadows Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, who first which will help support the fishing
of seagrass are extremely started monitoring seagrass beds in 2006. industry. Currently, Hampshire & Isle of
important for marine wildlife, Conducting regular surveys and collecting Wight Wildlife Trust is partnering up with
and analysing historical records has allowed others to see how they can reduce the
providing a space for them to
them to build up a good picture of where negative impact of recreational activities
forage for food, breed, grow into
local seagrass beds are and how best to on these lush underwater meadows
adults and hide from predators. protect them. Their work has contributed to so that we can save them for future
Perhaps less well known is the role the banning of harmful fishing practices in generations.
this habitat plays in helping us fight the Solent and informed the designation of
climate change — acting just like our Marine Conservation Zones.
plants and trees above water, seagrasses
photosynthesize, absorbing carbon dioxide
to make their food — and then become
food for other marine and coastal animals
too, such as grazing crustaceans, molluscs
and brent geese. That’s not all either, their
dense network of roots binds together the
sand and mud on the seafloor, making it
more stable and helping to reduce coastal
erosion, as well as burying organic matter
SEAGRASS AND ANEMONE © TIM FERRERO/HIWWT
down in the seabed creating an important
carbon bank.
Seagrass in
Unsurprisingly, this ‘super’ habitat has
become the focus of several projects
around the Wildlife Trusts, especially as
the Solent
we have already lost around 92% of our
seagrass beds in the last century.
14 | Our year for wildlifeLooking after wildlife and wild places
Climate change is a huge issue in their soils — and in a healthy state One such Trust is The Wildlife Trust
facing us all, as today’s young actively capture additional carbon from for Lancashire, Manchester and
people are so articulately and the atmosphere. The role of peatlands North Merseyside, who first took over
passionately making clear. as a natural solution to climate change the management of adjoining bogs,
— and their value for wildlife — has Winmarleigh and Cockerham Mosses, just
On the ground, The Wildlife Trusts are led several Wildlife Trusts to grow their outside Garstang, in 2010 and 2012. With 98%
taking action, with big and bold efforts expertise in peatland restoration. of the region’s lowland raised bogs already
underway to restore our peatlands. lost, the restoration of these remaining
fragments is all the more important.
Our peat bogs are hugely important in
our attempt to combat climate change, The endangered large heath butterfly
as they store large amounts of carbon is one of the rare wonders to behold
on Winmarleigh Moss; one of only
three sites in the region where it can be
PENNY DIXIE
found. A breeding programme between
the Wildlife Trust and Chester Zoo is
helping to increase its fortunes and has
YOUNG PROTESTERS ©
seen the species reintroduced to nearby
Heysham Moss and to the peatlands of
Greater Manchester.
Restoration efforts include raising water
Capturing
LARGE HEATH BUTTERFLY © STEFAN JOHANSSON
levels so that the moss is wet (or boggy)
once more, after which sphagnum moss,
the ‘building block’ of peatlands will be
carbon in
grown — covering the precious peat soils
and protecting it from erosion whilst
taking carbon out of the atmosphere
Lancashire
and locking it away for millennia, thus
providing a vital natural resource in the
fight against climate change.
Our year for wildlife | 15Partnerships
The Wildlife Trusts work with thousands of
businesses locally across the UK.
Nationally, we are proud to have formal partnerships with a
variety of companies helping us to work towards delivering
a wilder future. From creating more space for nature in
housing and infrastructure developments, to providing more
opportunities for adults and children to learn about and
connect with nature, as well as improving employee wellbeing
and improving habitats for wildlife, these partnerships are
crucial in helping us to address the nature crisis:
n Aggregate Industries
n Costain
n The Crown Estate
n Hitachi Capital (UK) PLC
n Hogan Lovells
n Jordans
n Landsec
n Network Rail
n Redrow
n Severn Trent Opened in 2019, award winning Ripon City Wetlands,
which attracts lapwings, reed bunting and Cetti’s warbler
n Siemens to its reedbeds and meadows is a prime example of our
n TATA Consultancy Services long-term partnership with Aggregrate Industries. From
the restoration of quarried areas to create beautiful
n Vine House Farm nature reserves for people to enjoy, like this one, which
n Waitrose was created in partnership with Yorkshire Wildlife Trust,
to funding local action for wildlife in communities — this
n Willmott Dixon innovative partnership is helping nature to recover and
connecting people with wildlife where they live.
16 | Our year for wildlifeOur year for wildlife | 17
LAPWINGS AT RIPON CITY WETLAND © WHITFIELD BENSONBiodiversity
Benchmark
Land-owning businesses have a key
role to play in turning around the
nature crisis we live in, managing their
land in a wildlife-friendly way that
allows it to recover.
The Wildlife Trusts believe that the efforts of
those organisations leading by example should
be celebrated, which is why we developed the
Biodiversity Benchmark. This certification has
recognised the contribution of business landowners
since 2007 and has been received by 12 organisations
who manage 52 sites between them, covering 8,600
hectares. These organisations span across sectors
including leisure, transport, energy and construction.
Toyota GB
During the year we welcomed Toyota GB to the
Biodiversity Benchmark family. The newly certified
ROADSIDE WILDLIFE © PAUL HOBSON
site at Burgh Heath in Surrey covers five hectares
and is a rich mosaic of habitats cared for by a
committed and skilful team, providing a great
place for wildlife and the people that work there.
18 | Our year for wildlifeFunders
Thanks to our members, donors and Funding support from The National Lottery
legators we are able to save wildlife Community Fund includes nearly £300,000
and wild places, whilst bringing to support small groups of people working
people closer to nature. together to conserve and enhance the
environment across the Tees Valley. Somerset
THE TIME IS NOW MARCH © PENNY DIXIE; LITERPICKING ON THE POLY ROGER © WTBBC; RED SQUIRREL © MARK HAMBLIN/2020VISION
We are also grateful for the grants that make and Herefordshire Wildlife Trusts have also
many of our individual projects possible. received just under £600,000 in funding to
These are received from local authorities, improve the health and wellbeing of people in
statutory agencies, governments, charitable their local communities experiencing mental ill
trusts, lotteries, and funds like the Landfill health, by helping them connect with nature.
Communities Fund. Their support is vital
to our efforts in making wildlife accessible People’s Postcode Lottery
to everybody. Thanks to the continued support of players of
People’s Postcode Lottery, The Wildlife Trusts
National Lottery have brought thousands of children closer to
Transformational support from the nature through Forest Schools and Nature Tots
National Lottery Heritage Fund allows us sessions in 11 major cities. Their support also
to continue our efforts to restore habitats helped us to look after precious wild places and
and landscapes, protect endangered wildlife, educate and inspire people to take action for
connect people with nature and improve nature in their own lives.
accessibility on our reserves.
Esmée Fairbairn Foundation
This year, support has been awarded by The In 2019, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation provided
National Lottery Heritage Fund to restore loans to help Worcestershire Wildlife Trust
heathlands across Worcestershire, treescapes buy land at Green Farm and Romsley Manor
in Devon and a section of Cumbria’s precious Farm Meadows, home to huge numbers of
seabed, as well as providing nearly £250,000 of insects and special wildflowers like the green-
funding for a volunteer-led project to enhance winged orchid.
the red squirrel population in mid Wales.
Our year for wildlife | 19About us
“The next ten years must be a time of renewal, of rewilding our lives,
of green recovery. We all need nature more than ever and when we
succeed, we’ll have wilder landscapes that store carbon and provide
on-your-doorstep nature for people too.”
Craig Bennett, Chief Executive, The Wildlife Trusts
We are living in a nature and climate emergency. To turn things restore our beautiful wild places — the very places we love and
around, we need new, big and ambitious targets. That is why enjoy but that also store carbon and can help us tackle climate
The Wildlife Trusts are calling for at least 30% of our land and change when functioning properly. From huge peatlands
sea to be connected and protected for nature’s recovery by 2030. locking up carbon in their soils to healthy marine environments
storing it in silty, muddy sediment on the sea floor.
Evidence suggests that 30% is the bare minimum that nature
needs to start recovering, but we are far short of that so have By being part of our mission for nature’s recovery, you are
our work cut out over the next decade. making a real difference to wildlife and our natural world.
Nature has given us so much, it’s now our turn to give back.
With the help of others, we want to make more space for
nature so that it can become abundant once more, giving our
struggling wildlife the chance to recover. We will continue to
20 | Our year for wildlifeOur year for wildlife | 21
LION’S MANE JELLY © ALEXANDER MUSTARD/2020VISIONOur collective
* Central charity income from
charitable trusts and foundations,
grants, donations, society lottery,
legacies and corporates.
finances
* Income for 2019-2020 does not
include £4.4m for Biffa Award,
£5.9m for Our Bright Future, £0.5m
for Red Squirrels United and £1.2m
for Nature Friendly Schools.
* Figures exclude inter-Trust grants
Central charity and contribution.
Central (RSWT) spend on
charity (RSWT) behalf of the
income movement
£6.1m £3.6m
Individual Trust Individual Trust
income expenditure
£166.3m £149.1m
LITTLE OWL © LUKE MASSEY
22 | Our year for wildlifeThe Wildlife
Trusts
Key People and Supporters
Patron
HRH The Prince of Wales
President
Tony Juniper CBE (until Apr 2019)
Presidents Emeritus
Sir David Attenborough OM CH CVO CBE FRS
Simon King OBE
Tony Juniper CBE (from Nov 2019)
Vice Presidents
Prof Chris Baines
Nick Baker
Ellie Harrison
Prof David Macdonald CBE DSc FRS
Bill Oddie OBE
Julian Pettifer OBE
Sir Robert Worcester KBE DL
Ambassadors
Dr Amir Khan
Sophie Pavelle
Alison Steadman
Richard Walker
Chair
Peta Foxall
Chief Executive
Craig Bennett (from Apr 2020)
Patience Thody (acting; Oct 2019-Apr 2020)
Stephanie Hilborne (until Oct 2019)
Our year for wildlife | 23The Wildlife Trusts is a movement made up of 46 Wildlife Trusts and a central
charity (RSWT); each is an independent charity with a shared mission.
Help us to achieve our goal of 30% of our land and sea to be
connected and protected for nature’s recovery by 2030.
l Join us as a member
l Remember us in your will
l Speak up for wildlife
l Volunteer your time
l Partner with us
Find out more at
wildlifetrusts.org/support-us
The Wildlife Trusts Follow us
The Kiln, Mather Road
Newark @wildlifetrusts
Nottinghamshire
NG24 1WT @WildlifeTrusts
e: enquiries@wildlifetrusts.org @thewildlifetrusts
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