Our year

forThe Wildlife Trusts’ wildlife 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 are calling for at least 30% 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,

COVER: © NEIL ALDRIDGE. P2: PINE MARTEN © MARK HAMBLIN/2020VISION © MARK ALDRIDGE. P2: PINE MARTEN © NEIL COVER: 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, Conservation and the Natural History AUGUST Museum launched Brilliant 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 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 after which takes the total by the Dream Fund 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 ’ 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 ’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 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 ’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 © SEAL GREY

6 | Our year for wildlife More than 850,000 members More than 42,500 volunteers including corporate volunteers taking part in Wild Work days

More than 46 2,300 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 through one of our campaigns 14.4 million visits were made to our nature reserves, 12,736 where people enjoyed and found solace in people gained new skills wild places cared for by the Wildlife Trusts on our training courses 388,000 1.66 million people connected with nature through hours were given by 37,038 volunteers with an additional our annual 30 Days Wild challenge 38,808 hours by 5,557 corporate volunteers

368,457 children and adults reached through Wildlife Trust-led sessions with schools, 407,642 people attended events care homes and community groups their toes! AThursday morning could bring to keep them interested and everyone on explore anddiscover withthe children, there was always something new to learn, Sessions changed withthe seasons and as no day orsession was ever the same! engagement work she took part in— the most through the outreach and valuable, Carrie felt that she gained Whilst allthese new skills were very she could put towards her degree. wildlife ofeach individual case —askill applications, assessing the impact on gained insight into responding to planning office, where she wrote upsurveys and also gained experience ofworking inan badger, bat andbotany surveys. Carrie how to complete water vole, dormice, her natural history knowledge, learning she gained new skills andbrushed upon During her time at Wildlife Trust, Conservation Team. summer internship withthe before going ontoa fulfil 2019 as afull-time student, Carrie Bringing wildlife to local communities 10 a Wild Tots session withamud kitchen,

| Our year for wildlife began volunteering at in April inApril

greenspaces ofIpswich. and grandparents —allwithinthe educated teenagers, mums, dads,aunties toddlers, primaryschool children, home- feel part ofacommunity that included During the summer, Carrie grew to blackberries andleaves asdecoration. creations usingnatural materials such as even making butterfly wings and woodland afternoon tea, sweep nettingor forinsects Meet Carrie

wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-trusts there are inyour Trust, visit people. To findout what opportunities traineeships andinternships for young The majority of Wildlife Trusts offer one ofthe nature reserves! alongside completing her dissertation on and hashelped outover holiday periods with her Wildlife Trust colleague, Lucy, much that she continues to be in touch In fact she enjoyed her internship so

CARRIE © SUFFOLK WILDLIFE TRUST YOUNG ENVIRONMENTALISTS © OUR BRIGHT FUTURE, environmentalists Ireland’s young Meet Northern beginning ofthe year. the Covid-19 outbreak at the in Northern Ireland following policy for aGreen Recovery for creative ideas to influence to acall from Leah environmentalists —including A group ofyoung, passionate —were quick to respond Ulster Wildlife

her own farm to make itmore wildlife- the practical steps she hadtaken on Leah was able to demonstrate some of their ideas. At this particular meeting, Environment and Rural Affairs, to share Edwin Poots, Minister for Agriculture, meet withlocal political leaders including programme, after which they began to experts aspart ofthe OurBright Future training sessions led by campaign They started outby attending some friendly, showcasing how green recovery wildlifetrusts.org/our-bright-future National Lottery Community Fund at The Wildlife Trusts andfunded by The about OurBright Future, which isled by vital skills andexperience. Findoutmore with 11-24 year olds to help them gain Our Bright Future programme, working have runsimilar projects through the Wildlife Trusts across the movement take action for agreen recovery. with their peers too, helping others to been sharingtheir activities andtraining Clubs andschool eco groups andhave other groups including Young Farmers via WhatsApp and are alsoactive inmany successes asthey go. They communicate supportive ofeach other andcelebrate the challenging circumstances —andare initiative andleadership indealing with formed agreat team, displaying both vast geographical spread, they quickly face-to-face dueto lockdown anda the group have been unable to meet Although Leah andother members of around the changes needed. media campaign andseries ofevents of the group isnow planningasocial was possible ­ Bringing wildlife to local communities — andwithother members Our year for wildlife | 11 BEAVER RELEASE © NICK UPTON/NATUREPL.COM 12

| Our year for wildlife New protections safeguard an additional 12,000km2 of marine habitat thanks to campaigning by The Wildlife Trusts 103,999ha of land cared for as Wildlife Trust nature reserves 41 new Marine Conservation Zones

9,932km of rivers and streams looked after allowing freshwater wildlife to thrive and an additional 7,776 km of rivers and streams improved for wildlife after receiving advice from The Wildlife Trusts 8,700ha of land improved for wildlife under our Biodiversity Benchmark scheme, working with corporates

The future of ha 17,531ha 197,433 of land influenced by responding of private land improved for to planning applications wildlife after receiving advice from The Wildlife Trusts Looking 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 providing a space for them to and analysing historical records has allowed others to see how they can reduce the forage for food, breed, grow into them to build up a good picture of where negative impact of recreational activities 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 down in the seabed creating an important carbon bank.

Unsurprisingly, this ‘super’ habitat has become the focus of several projects around the Wildlife Trusts, especially as we have already lost around 92% of our Seagrass in seagrass beds in the last century.

SEAGRASS AND ANEMONE SEAGRASS © TIM FERRERO/HIWWT the Solent 14 | Our year for wildlife Looking 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 found. A breeding programme between the Wildlife Trust and Chester Zoo is helping to increase its fortunes and has seen the species reintroduced to nearby Heysham Moss and to the peatlands of Greater Manchester.

YOUNG PROTESTERS © PENNY DIXIE Restoration efforts include raising water levels so that the moss is wet (or boggy) once more, after which sphagnum moss, Capturing the ‘building block’ of peatlands will be grown — covering the precious peat soils and protecting it from erosion whilst taking carbon out of the atmosphere carbon in and locking it away for millennia, thus providing a vital natural resource in the fight against climate change. Lancashire JOHANSSON © STEFAN BUTTERFLY LARGE HEATH Our year for wildlife | 15 Partnerships

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 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 wildlife Our year for wildlife | 17

LAPWINGS AT RIPON CITY WETLAND © WHITFIELD BENSON Biodiversity 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 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. ROADSIDE WILDLIFE © PAUL HOBSON WILDLIFE © PAUL ROADSIDE

18 | Our year for wildlife Funders 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 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. THE TIME IS NOW MARCH © PENNY DIXIE; LITERPICKING ON THE POLY ROGER © WTBBC; RED SQUIRREL © MARK HAMBLIN/2020VISION © MARK WTBBC; RED SQUIRREL ROGER © THE POLY DIXIE; LITERPICKING ON MARCH © PENNY TIME IS NOW THE

Our year for wildlife | 19 About 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 wildlife Our year for wildlife | 21

LION’S MANE JELLY © ALEXANDER MUSTARD/2020VISION * Central charity income from charitable trusts and foundations, grants, donations, society lottery, legacies and corporates. Our collective * 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 finances for Nature Friendly Schools. * Figures exclude inter-Trust grants and contribution. SWT SWT income £6.1m £3.6m

I T I T income expenditure £166.3m £149.1m LITTLE OWL © LUKE MASSEY © LUKE LITTLE OWL

22 | Our year for wildlife The Wildlife Trusts Key People and Supporters Patron HRH The Prince of Wales President Tony Juniper CBE (until Apr 2019) Presidents Emeritus Sir OM CH CVO CBE FRS 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 | 23 The 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

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