Wildlife Trust Annual Review 2018

Our wildest year so far

Protecting Wildlife for the Future and for the People of Essex A year of success

It gives me an enormous sense of pride to look back on 2018 – our wildest years so far.

With the uncertainty in the wider world showing no sign of resolution, it is important that we continue to deliver against our organisational objectives, conserving and managing habitats, whilst engaging people in the wonders of wildlife – and ensuring that those in positions of authority know what we can achieve for our beautiful county.

We took part in a national Wildlife Trusts parliamentary reception, focusing on the contribution that young people can make to environmental conservation, which gave us the chance to discuss our work with a number of Essex MPs. Nationally, the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts is working in partnership with other leading ‘green’ charities, to influence key developments, such as a new Environment Act and future farm subsidy regimes. Locally, we can advance our position, talking to politicians, landowners and other leading individuals. We cannot win the fight on our own and need to build strong partnerships if we are to make a real difference for wildlife in Essex.

Our media work is a great way of getting our messages out to a wide audience. We are fortunate to receive excellent coverage with local TV and radio stations, but only because our reputation is so positive. Our staff show great professionalism, knowledge and enthusiasm in front of the camera and behind the microphone. It’s much appreciated.

These thanks extend, of course, to our staff across the organisation, whether working out on a reserve, teaching a group of young people, serving teas in a café or undertaking key jobs at our HQ. And especially to our fantastic volunteers, who give so much to the Trust. Each and every one of you should be very proud of your contribution, for which we are tremendously grateful.

Stewart Goshawk

Cover picture, Dormouse. Ian Pratt Main picture, . Chair, Dave Watts Peter Clayton

2 Essex Wildlife Trust | Annual Review 2018 With more land, more projects, Protecting and more support from volunteers, it’s been a busy year for conservation in Essex. wildlife One of the surest ways to extend our work is to increase the amount of land that we own and manage. We have completed the successful purchase of a further addition to our Wrabness and wild reserve to expand the wet grassland habitat and have also taken on the management of Marshes, an SSSI site which is unique in the Thames Gateway for its biodiversity. Its superb places mosaic of habitats includes nationally important collections of invertebrates.

Another way that we protect wildlife is by using our influence, with our focus increasingly on landscape- scale projects. We have continued to advise on proposed National Infrastructure projects such as the , Tilbury-2, and Bradwell Nuclear Power Station. We have also led on the development of the Blackwater Initiative to advance collaboration between ourselves, the RSPB, the National Trust, District Council and . Outputs have already included an ambitious joint Wader Strategy.

Volunteers continue to be the backbone of our work. Our Coastal Warden scheme has gone from strength to strength with the recruitment of over 30 new volunteer Coastal Wardens. We’ve expanded our data collection and continued to build on our relationship with the Environment Agency and Anglian Water, while over 50 volunteers have been working with us on Shoresearch surveys to collect much needed coastal biological records.

We have continued to build on our flagship projects such as the Essex Barn Owl project and the Brent Goose satellite tagging project, the latter of which is helping us to unlock the migration behaviours of this key Essex bird species. We have also been working with the Environment Agency to trial the installation and monitoring of ‘saltmarsh sausages’ at Abbotts Hall Farm. These are large coir rolls which trap sediment and allow establishment of saltmarsh vegetation to tackle erosion.

Increasingly, our work extends into urban areas and road systems. Following the discovery of a dormouse population on sections of the A12 verges, we have been planning habitat improvements with the Highways Agency. But we haven’t forgotten the countryside. Working with landowners in the Danbury area, we have planted 2.5km of mixed species hedgerow to improve connectivity for wildlife. This is just one of many examples of such activity.

Your help is fundamental in allowing us to undertake this important work and fulfil our mission to protect wildlife. Thank you for your support.

Essex Wildlife Trust | Annual Review 2018 3 Inspiring the people of Essex

On the cusp of turning 60, we’ve educated 60,000 children in a single year – not to mention adults of all ages. Amazing.

Our aim is to be the flagship provider for learning through nature in Essex. At the heart of our education strategy is the commitment to building a talented team of educators, reaching people at all stages of life, and raising the profile of the Trust as a leading environmental educator. This is underpinned by the principles and practices of sustainable development and biodiversity conservation.

We are delighted to have been awarded the Quality Badge by the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom for education at schools and centres delivered by our wonderful Educations Team. The Quality Badge is a national award, combining the two essential elements of high-quality provision – learning and safety – into one trusted accreditation scheme that serves as a kitemark for potential clients.

This year has seen us exceed our targets for quantity as well as quality, reaching over 60,000 children through our education programmes. We have the largest Education Team of all , with every member of staff committed to positioning Essex at the forefront of environmental education. Responding to the tide of public concern about the harm of plastics in both land and sea, we created a pioneering new ‘Plasticology’ workshop programme to explore the problems (and solutions) of plastic rubbish in Essex. Plasticology has been a big hit with schools, and some workshops have been generously funded by our corporate partners.

Our early years sessions go from strength to strength, with a growing following of loyal parents and children who attend every week to learn about wildlife through the seasons. This year saw the programme successfully rebranded as Nature Tots, complete with logo, organic cotton tee shirts, bags, and more. We also began exploring the potential of having our very own outdoor- based Nature Nursery. This pioneering work in early years provision should see nursery children benefitting from year- round interaction with the natural environment. Watch this space.

Meanwhile, our accredited training programme for educators, which includes Forest Schools, Coastal Schools and Outdoor Learning practices, has continued to build, enabling us to train others to educate children through interaction with wildlife and the natural environment. We now have eleven education staff trained as Forest School leaders and two members of the education team are on the Essex Forest School Association Steering Group.

Your support has allowed us to reach more people than ever this year, covering all areas of Essex and spanning the generations. Let’s achieve even more next year.

4 Essex Wildlife Trust | Annual Review 2018 This year saw a huge increase in Delivering our press coverage and substantial growth in our online community. More voices for wildlife. a greater Our number of supporters across Facebook, Twitter and Instagram has increased by 9,000, bringing our total followers to 31,000. This growth was particularly notable on Instagram with a 138% increase in followers, extending voice for our reach to a younger demographic. The Essex Wildlife Trust Community Facebook Group was also created, allowing our supporters to interact with one another.

Our social media followers helped us deliver a greater wildlife voice for wildlife in many ways, particularly by promoting our key campaigns. One example was the potential loss of protection for Local Wildlife Sites through the Government’s new National Planning Policy Framework, which would have left 12,500 hectares unprotected in Essex. Our campaign video had 23,000 views and 900 shares. Alongside the efforts of other Wildlife Trusts, the campaign led the Government to publish a revised version that reinstated protection for Local Wildlife Sites.

June saw the return of our annual 30 Days Wild campaign, calling on everyone to do something wild every day in June. There were 2,200 sign-ups in Essex, including 232 schools and 65 businesses, an increase of 37%. Research shows that 30 Days Wild helps to improve people’s connection to nature and increases the likelihood of them actively helping to protect nature. We produced a video every day in June, offering activity ideas and showcasing our wildlife and nature reserves, attracting more than 54,000 views.

Our number of television appearances more than doubled, with national features on ITV This Morning, BBC Countryfile, BBC’s The One Show, Channel 5 news and Forces TV, promoting our conservation work to millions of viewers. These national appearances were alongside regular features on regional television, including BBC Look East, ITV Anglia and BBC Inside Out.

We also featured frequently on the radio. We talked nationally about water voles on BBC Radio 4’s ‘Nature Notes’ and the ecology of wood mice on BBC Radio 5, while our Help for Heroes collaboration featured on the British Forces Broadcasting Service. Locally, we featured on BBC Essex once every 13 days on average, informing listeners of species spectacles, events, campaigns and local projects.

In the press, we were mentioned over 1,000 times in 79 different media outlets, in print and online. We had 35 national features, with The Independent quoting our water vole project, The Times listing our nature reserves as some of the ‘Best places to spot Britain’s most at risk wildlife’ and The Guardian promoting our events as top outdoor activities for families in half-term.

Without your support, our ability to deliver a greater voice for wildlife and raise the profile of the Trust would be far less. Nightingale. Chris Gomersall 2020 VISION

Essex Wildlife Trust | Annual Review 2018 5 We couldn’t have done this alone Corporate members Funders Projects

2plan Wealth Management Corrilan IT Consultancy H W Wilson ltd Navigator Terminals Shadowfax Technology 3 Diamond Events Ltd Courts of Rayleigh Hair & Son LLP Thames Ltd Sharp Business Systems We are extremely grateful The following funders A Duke & Son Crane Building Management Hairways (Hair & Beauty) Ltd NC Appliance Repairs Ltd UK Plc for the grants which have given grants A.R. Adams (Funeral Services Ltd Garden Services Ltd Neil Smith FCCA Sheridan Accountancy Directors) Ltd Curo Support Services Haven Authority Networking Essex Services Ltd have been received towards projects that Abbott Fasteners Ltd Curtis Assemble & Test Healthy Life Essex CIC New Holland Agriculture Shipman Security during 2018 from the were active through 2018: Accuro Environmental Ltd Limited Henderson & Redfearn Ltd Nicholls Law (Fraud and Systems ltd ACL (Adult Community D & A Media Ltd Henderson & Taylor (PW) Ltd Cyber Risk Division) Sibbons Plant Hire following funders: Anglian Water Learning) Essex D Chennells Ltd High Chelmer North Benfleet Hall Fishery Silver City Estates Ltd Augustine Courtauld Trust Augustine Courtauld Trust Acorn ARB & Forestry D F Clark Contracts Ltd Shopping Centre North Essex Signs Ltd Simmons Printers The Banister Charitable Trust The Banister Charitable Trust Activ8 Creative D H Industries Ltd Hill & Abbott Oak View Landscapes Ltd Simul Systems Ltd Biffa Award Biffa Award Actual Health & Safety D J & Mrs M Hull Hi-Tec Europe Ltd Office Needs (Essex) Ltd SLR Wealth Services Limited Coastal Communities Fund Coastal Communities Fund Adam & Greenwood Funeral D J Fisher (Farms) Ltd Home Instead Senior Care Old Park Meadow Natural Smith & O’Sullivan Ltd City Bridge Trust City Bridge Trust Home LLP D K Moriarty Ltd Hoppings Softwood Burial Ground Solar Green Ltd Cory Environmental Cory Environmental Adhesive Technical Services Danbury Fencing Ltd Products PLC Olympus KeyMed Sootys Sweep Service Coryton Energy Company Ltd DEFRA AdValue Marketing Ltd Dancing Giraffe Horticulture One to One Personnel ltd South Essex Homes DEFRA Environment Agency Advante Ltd Daniel Bridge Photography HSQE Ltd Opportunities Workshop Southend Timber East of England Coop Essex Community Foundation Affinity Water Ltd Daniel Robinson & Sons Hugh Pearl Land Drainage Ltd Organisation for Responsible Spains Hall Estate Environment Agency Businesses (ORB) Ltd Essex County Council AG Fabrications Ltd Dataware Consultancy Hunter & Sons Tree Services Spring Lodge Essex Community Foundation Osea Leisure Park Frinton and Walton Town Council Alchemize Ltd Centre Ltd Hygiene Contracts Ltd Veterinary Hospital Essex County Council Othona Community Intergen Alexandra Anthony Ltd Timber Ltd I Am Emily Design & Squibb Group Ltd Frinton and Walton Town Council P & P Maintenance Services London Borough of Havering Alm Training Services Deborah Luff CeMap, MBA Marketing St Cedds School Intergen Mortgage & Protection Adviser Page Creative M&G Alton Garden Centre I D Corcoran Building St Georges Pest Control Ltd Linley Wightman Shaw Foundation Dengie Crops Ltd Contractors Ltd Palmers Solicitors Natural England Amixan Ltd Stansted Airport Ltd London Borough of Havering DeVines Accountants Limited Ian Brown General Insurance Paul J King Funeral Directors National Heritage Lottery Fund Andrew Klecha Tree-surgeon Stanton Hope Ltd M&G Diamond Press Ltd Brokers Ltd Payeasy Ltd Neighbourly community grants Andy Rose Photography Stillwater Management Natural England Ian Wallinhurst Kar Co. Ltd Olympus Keymed Anglia Ruskin University Direct Solutions Peak Security Systems Ltd Strix Editions National Heritage Lottery Fund IDC Greenscapes Ltd Sanofi Anglian Water Services Ltd Downwell Group Peldon Hall Farms Stubbers Adventure Centre Neighbourly community grants Immervox Ltd Stanstead Airport Community Trust Animal Health Co Ltd DST Perrywood Garden Centre Summerdale Veterinary Northumbrian Water Impamark Tesco Bags of Help Ansell & Sons Dunton Park Pest Defence Ltd Surgery Northwick Trust Infotec Consulting Thames Water AR Maintenance E T Brown & Son PGM Carpentry Contractors Swallow Aquatic Olympus Keymed Ltd UKPN Ash Associates Earthworks PJR Communications Ltd Swan Housing Association Sanofi Intu Lakeside Ltd Veolia North Thames Trust Ashby & Croft Ltd Eastwood Tile Warehouse Platt Rushton Swisher SITA Environmental Trust Islandbridge Properties Ltd Veolia Maintenance Trust Ashwells Reclaimed Edmund Carr PLS Tax Solutions SX Storage Stanstead Airport Community Trust Timber Ltd J B Russell Engineers Ltd Effective Business Network Plummer Electrical Sync Creative Tarmac J E Tabor Farms Ltd Engineering Ashwyk Ltd eGenie Systematics International Ltd Tesco Bags of Help J H Palmer PMB Electrical Supplies Ltd Associate Enterprises Limited Electrical Solutions Talis Projects Ltd Thames Water T/A Assent J W Steele & Sons Ltd PMR Solutions Ellisons Tarmac The Headley Trust Aston Lark Ltd Jackie Spurr Consulting Ltd PMV ESSEX Ltd Elm Horticulture Limited Council The Wildflower Society Audley Mills Surgery Janice Gooch Heritage PNP Trees These lists are not Elm House Veterinary Centre Thames Card Technology Ltd UKPN Ayers & Cruiks Consultancy Port Flair Ltd Endeavour Drilling Ltd Thames Loose Leaf Ltd exhaustive. Essex Wildlife Veolia North Thames Trust B & M Barnes Javalin Network Services Ltd Port of Tilbury London Ltd Energy Crop Solutions Ltd Thames Security Shredding Veolia Maintenance Trust B.E.E. Pest Control JKS Group Ltd Power Hygiene & Safety Trust is very grateful to all Enertech Solutions Ltd Thames Water Utilities Ltd WREN Bakers of Danbury Ltd John Hoole Consulting Ltd Products Ltd EOL IT Services Ltd The CME Personnel its generous funders. Barclays Bank Plc EPC-Group UK John S Dunne Ltd Premier Print & Consultancy Limited Promotions Ltd Borough Council Essex & Suffolk Insurance Jovic Plant Ltd The East Anglia Pass Premier Sailing Ltd Basildon Timber Brokers JPS Tool & Access Hire Ltd The Finishing Line Ltd Merchants Ltd Prestige Conjuring Essex & Suffolk Water PLC Jubilee Painting Services The Landscape Centre Ltd Battlesbridge Antiques Kaizen Consultancy ltd Primassure Ltd “Insuring Essex Arboriculture Ltd The Maldon Garden Centre Essex Growth” Essex Chambers of Kelly Turkeys Centre Ltd Gifts in Wills Benchmark Landscape Ltd Printing.com Southend Commerce Ken Rush Associates Ltd The Printing Place Ltd Bennetts Funeral Directors Priority Support Services Ltd Essex County Council Kevin James Ltd The Royals Shopping Centre BGA Architects Procam Agriculture Ltd Essex Digital Copiers Kieran Lucas Contractors Ltd The Safe House Birkett Long LLP Push Energy Limited Essex Mechanical Services Kirby’s Coaches (Rayleigh) Ltd The Social Accelerators Birketts LLP Qinetiq Because of the amazing acts of kindness of individuals Essex Oak Frame Ltd Kiss Chase Creations Limited Bizphit Quadrant Security Services Essex Reclamation Ltd KS Timber Ltd The Trop Shop who have gifted in their Will during their lifetime, we Blackburn & Co Ltd Land & Marine Ltd Essex Security Services Ltd L Holmes Dental Laboratory thefullworks Bland Landscapes Ltd R Gwinnell & Sons have been able to continue investing in the protection Estuary Housing Langdon Hills Golf Club Ltd Therapy Life Centre Blatella Films Ltd Radio Essex Association Ltd Lathcoats Farm Shop Thomas Yorke of wildlife for the future. In 2018, gifts in Wills totalled a Bowling Garrard electrical European Refrigeration Ltd Raw Apple Laurie Wood Associates Ltd Thomsons Council Express Environmental Communications Ltd fantastic £768,000. These acts of kindness are never taken Leggatt Bell THS Concepts Ltd Brand Identity Solutions Ltd Rawley Plant Ltd Leisure Hire Tim Moya Associates for granted. We are extremely grateful to the following Brents of Brentwood Ltd F H Ives Ltd Rayleigh Town Council Lemon Fencing Ltd Timber Tec Brett Aggregates Ltd F P Guiver & Sons Ltd Raytel Group Ltd individuals who left an everlasting legacy that will help LG Networks Tina Wing Photography Brewster Motors Essex Ltd Fanpac Ltd Rayvac Airtemp Ltd Liz Lake Associates TJ Evers Ltd support the Trust’s work. Bright & Sons FASTSIGNS RCP Fresh Produce Ltd Local Business Domination TP’s Car Clinic Brightest Fuels Ltd Fearnwood Products Red Cell Ltd London Borough of Havering Trait Design Ltd Brown & Brand Fen Farm Caravan Site Reginald O’Neill Dental Care Mr Noel Amis Mr Michael W Mann London Southend Airport Transscape Brown & Carroll (London) Fenn Wright Co Ltd Relish Tree Fella Limited Limited First Floor Design Lorryweld Revive Digital Media Mrs Irene Joyce Bayes Mr Robert Newton Trenitalia c2c Ltd Building Link Ltd Firstead Properties Ltd Loughton Town Council Reynolds Industrial Tube Tech International Ltd Mrs Audrey Jean Crossley Mrs Beryl Joyce Elizabeth Parker Burnt Mills Tyres Fisco Tools Ltd LSJ Steel Engineering Ltd Cleaning Ltd Twister Solutions Ltd C H Lindsey & Son Ltd Flowline Ltd Lucy & Co RHS Garden Hyde Hall Mrs Margaret Jean Elliott Miss Mary Elizabeth Powling TWO Services Ltd C. J. Bardwell Ltd Fluid Business Group Lumic Ltd Richard Palmer Toastmaster UK Energy Management Cadman Construction Ltd Four seasons Treecare and Lyreco Rickard Luckin Mrs Athalie Farquharson Mrs Beatrice Rice UK Power Networks Calor Gas Landscaping M & G Group PLC Rimplas (Operations) Ltd Mr John Alfred Green Mr Roy Arthur Swain Capel Court PLC Frank Howard Tools & Fixings M D M Timber Ltd Riverside Nursery & Garden Centre Universal Image Systems Ltd Case Consultant Solutions Ltd Franklin Group M Lucking & Sons (Funeral Utility Warehouse Miss Vivien Green Mr Charles John Du Boulay Borough Council fuud ltd Directors) Riverside Veterinary Group Vanitorials CBAC Services Ltd Gables Cars Council RL Solutions Mrs Sheila Joan Grove-White Mr Jack Tinson Vaughan & Blyth Group CC Leisure Parks Ltd Galloper Wind Farm Ltd Maldon Golf Club Roalco Ltd Ventam Systems Ltd CEME Limited Garden Designs & Maldon Marine Ltd Robin Greatorex Wines Dr Anne Lacey Mrs Jean Grace Thorogood Channels Golf Club Ltd Landscapes Maplewood Carpentry Ltd Council Veolia Environmental Services (UK) Plc Constance Margaret Lancaster Miss Doreen Elizabeth Woods Chefs Choice Ltd Gardenature Ltd Marill Business Services Rochford Hundred Golf Club Viisana Chelmer Marquees Ltd Gardens of Peace Muslim Marks Hall Estate Rochford Veterinary Surgery VIRIDIS Urban & Rural City Council Cemetery Marmi Ltd Rohan Chelmsford VRCC Chigboro’ Fisheries Gemini Office Solutions Ltd Martyn Lewis Chartered Romstor Ltd Cipher Crystal Ltd Geocurve Ltd Accountants Rose of Ltd W & H Marriage & Sons Ltd City & Country George Thompson Ltd Martyn Pattie Architects & Ruark Audio Ltd Waldegraves Farm Ltd Clacton-on-Sea Golf Club George Yard Shopping Centre Designers RW & JR Burroughs Water Lane Architects Claridon Group Ltd Gill Scaffolding Ltd Mears Websites S Carter & Son Wavedata Cleancare International GIS Spatial Mapping Merit Promotional S G Shields (Benfleet) Ltd We Work Well Clifford Brown & Grimsey Globalnet IT Innovations Ltd Clothing Ltd S P Bardwell Ltd Webuseful Solutions Ltd Insurance Brokers Ltd Glorcroft Ltd Messrs. Tilbrook’s Solicitor S Stibbards & Sons Ltd Whirledge & Nott CNG Business Advice T/A Goodmove Moving & Metro Ltd S Walsh & Sons Ltd Whittles Smart Support Storage Ltd Metrow Foods Ltd Safe Fire Protection Ltd Wickham Engineering Coachstop Goody Burrett LLP MHS Radiators Safety Assured Ltd Wilkin & Sons Ltd Coda Systems Ltd Gower Bros Ltd Michael Clark Designs Sally Parkinson Photography Wilkins Kennedy LLP Colchester Borough Council Grape Passions Ltd Millane Contract Services Ltd Santry Davis Willow Garden Day Nursery Collier & Catchpole Ltd Grass Roof Company Mirror Door Systems Ltd Sarah Green’s Organics Wire Free Protection Ltd Colne Stoves & Fireplaces Ltd Grays Office Supplies Monthind Clean LLP Scooter Store Witham Town Council Communications Software Greetings of Highlands Morley Riches & Ablewhite Scott Wallis Seeds Ltd Wood & Disney Ltd Complete Intacare Hygiene Gripdeck Ltd M-Power Hypnotherapy Sealife Adventure Water Constable VAT Consultancy Ground Control Mr Pink Ltd Secret Hamper Ski Club LLP Growing Native MWS Secure Haven Ltd Woodhouse Engineering Consult a Penguin Guardian Display Ltd Myomancy Ltd t/a Wiltshire Secure IT Services Ltd Wormell Plant Consultus (PEMXQ) Ltd Guardian Industrial Doors Farm Foods Seekay Horticultural Supplies Wow Balloons Cooper Bros (Gt Oakley) Ltd H Tisbury & Son MyWebhero Ltd SEIB Insurance Brokers Writtle University College

6 Essex Wildlife Trust | Annual Review 2018 Financial summary EWT year ended 31 December 2018

Trustee’s statement 2018 2017 visitor centre. These are the summarised accounts. If you would Incoming Resources £000’s £000’s Dave Watts like to view the full audited accounts in more detail, Membership Income 1,338 1,305 please go to www.essexwt.org.uk or request a copy from Essex Wildlife Trust, Abbotts Hall Farm, Great Grants and Donations 440 74 7 Wigborough, Colchester, Essex CO5 7RZ. Legacies 768 74 6

The annual accounts have been audited by Kingston Primary Purpose 895 592 Smith LLP and received an unqualified opinion. Education 477 473 They were approved by Board on 18 June 2019 and Conservation 676 611 will be submitted to the Charity Commission and the Registrar of Companies. Fundraising 78 125 Trading Companies Income 2,681 2,636 The Trustees are working to progressively reduce Investment Income 450 452 the level of free reserves to approximately three months of establishment costs, non-funded staff Other 13 8 costs and the obligations to those third parties that Total Incoming Resources 7,816 7,695 support us with unrestricted grants. The current level of free reserves equates to approximately Resources Expended 4 months running costs. Reserves and Conservation 2,278 2,103 Keeley Hazelhurst, People and Wildlife 280 220 Honorary Treasurer Visitor Centre Costs 1,957 1,945 EWT Trading Companies Costs 2,421 2,047 Fundraising Events inc Education 436 427 Voluntary Income Costs 553 561 Investment Costs 10 11 Total Resources Expended 7,935 7,314 Net (Losses) / Gains on Investment (830) 731

Net Incoming Resources (949) 1,112 Funds Brought Forward 28,050 26,938 Funds Carried Forward 27,101 28,050

Summary Balance Sheet

Tangible & Intangible Assets 12,961 13,192 Long Term Investments 10,554 11,154 Stocks 378 441 Debtors 1,860 1,719 Short Term Investments and cash at 2,381 2,596 bank and in hand Creditors < 1 yr (625) (604) Creditors > 1 yr (408) (448)

Total Net Assets 27,101 28,050 Designated Funds 4,578 4,158 General Funds 4,002 4,761 Unrestricted Funds 8,580 8,919 Restricted Funds 15,919 16,336 Endowment Funds 2,602 2,795

27,101 28,050

Essex Wildlife Trust | Annual Review 2018 7 Whether it’s school children going on strike, climate activists causing The beginning havoc in the capital, TV documentaries highlighting the true cost of the human footprint, or politicians discussing a of a new brand new Environment Act; for the first time in decades people seem to be talking seriously about the value chapter of the natural world.

We all have a part to play in this debate and Essex It’s been a long time coming, Wildlife Trust will certainly be doing everything it can to influence, steer and demonstrate that what the but it seems the proverbial environment needs can be achieved with a relatively simple shift in mindset. But talking is easy, actually ‘environmental penny’ might delivering impact on the ground is a different matter and an ambitious shift in ways of operating is really finally have dropped. what is required, across multiple sectors.

2020 will see the start of a new EWT Strategic Plan (2020-2025) and this will detail the focus of our attention for the next five year period. That doesn’t mean we can’t react to different opportunities and challenges that arise, but it lays a marker in the sand for what we want to achieve over the next five years.

A key question when developing any strategy is defining what success looks like. From my perspective, a key achievement would be if organisations such as Andrew Impey EWT no longer had to keep making a special case CEO for the environment. If the protection of our natural heritage was embedded in everyday decisions, it would be a massive step forward in protecting wildlife in perpetuity, for future generations to enjoy and benefit from. This could be as simple as making a conscious decision about what products to buy in the supermarket, or as complex as deciding whether a new airport runway is really a step forward.

It appears that housing pressures in Essex are only going to get worse and this is an opportunity for the Trust to bring much of its sixty years of experience to the fore. We want to see conservation as a central part of the planning process; we’d like developers to be open to wildlife friendly construction; we demand equitable mitigation if habitats have been destroyed or species displaced and we want home owners to fully engage with the importance of their gardens as wildlife havens or corridors, to connect already fragmented habitat.

Essex Wildlife Trust A vital aspect of any culture change is good Abbotts Hall Farm communication and this is where the Trust can again play a central role. As passionate conservationists, it’s Great Wigborough sometimes easy to get sucked into the things that are Colchester going wrong, or that need fixing; however, we mustn’t CO5 7RZ lose sight of the incredible projects and progress that we have made over the last sixty years. E: [email protected] www.essexwt.org.uk It’s an exciting time to be at the sharp end of conservation and with your continued support, Registered Charity No. 210065 Essex Wildlife Trust will be doing everything in its Company Registered No. 638666 power to ensure that we give nature the voice it

VAT Registered No. 945 7459 77 Whittaker 2020 VISION Terry needs and so richly deserves. www.traitdesign.co.uk www.essexwt.org.uk