A summary of the impact of the Wildlife Trust in 2018 - 2019 Annual Review 2018 - 2019 Celebrating 70 years wild and looking to a wilder future “Surely we can afford to preserve these few remaining wild places. If we do not, Summary of our income and expenditure for the year ending 31 March 2019. You’ll we and our descendants will be poorer in mind, in heart and in spirit.” find more details in our audited Annual Report and Financial Statements at The second annual report of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, 1950. lincstrust.org.uk/publications.

At the end of 1948, Ted Smith (then With our nature in crisis, it is no condition than it inherited and it is our During the year, we spent £2.74m on our charitable activities. In addition to a substantial legacy this year, we have also aged 28) and a small group of dedicated longer enough to merely protect areas of combined responsibility to see that it, This represents 92.5% of total expenditure and is spread across benefitted from a number of other bequests and are indebted naturalists came together to form the wildlife importance. There is a real need or any future government, honours this nature reserve management, wider countryside conservation to everyone who has supported our work in this way. Over Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. Seventy to develop a Nature Recovery Network. commitment. and inspiring people. We continue to develop and enhance our the years gifts in Wills have enabled us to buy new reserves, years on, the idea has spread to every A network of recreated habitats and Thank you for sharing our belief in reserves as needed and invest in advocacy, education and public manage them better and improve visitor facilities whilst county in the UK. Here in Lincolnshire wildlife corridors that ensures nature the importance of the natural world. It engagement. building up financial reserves to support ongoing work. we’ve grown from 130 members and two has the opportunity to recover. is the Trust members, volunteers and nature reserves in the first year to over This Nature Recovery Network staff, whose financial support and on- 27,000 members and almost 100 nature should form part of the Environment going enthusiasm allows the charity to Income Expenditure reserves today. Act, promised by the government and continue to prosper and innovate. Our vision is for Lincolnshire and the supported by the Greener UK coalition neighbouring sea and estuaries to be – an umbrella body which comprises rich in wildlife for the benefit of all. Yet, 14 major environmental organisations wildlife is still in decline; we need to do including RSPB, National Trust, WWF more to put nature into recovery and and Woodland Trust. The current David Cohen, help people reconnect with the natural government has pledged to leave Chair of the Board of Trustees world. the natural environment in a better £2.94m £2.93m

Green-winged orchids in Heath’s Meadow Nature Reserve, May 2018

Subscriptions, donations and gift aid£784,000 Generating subscriptions and donations £143,000 Legacies £609,000 Merchandising £53,000 Merchandising £82,000 Nature Reserve management £1,214,000 Investment £196,000 Wider countryside conservation £670,000 Nature Reserves £745,000 Inspiring people £852,000 Wider countryside conservation £189,000 Inspiring people £300,000 Other £35,000 Thank you for your support

2,066 grey seal pups were born at A gift to us all Donna Nook National Nature Reserve

BARRIE WILKINSON BARRIE We would like to thank everyone who remembered Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust in their Will. We are honoured to record our Cover image: juvenile bittern at Far Ings, July 2018 (Neil Griffiths) appreciation to the following individuals whose legacies we received or were notified of in the year ended 31 March 2019. After many weeks of observing feeding flights, with Mary Angela Sarah Bates Alan George Riseborough the adult female appearing to be bringing in food for Martin John D’alessandro Doreen Stella Shakeby two chicks, we are delighted that we had, for a second Anastasia Elizabeth Healey Winifred Margaret Spilman consecutive year, successful breeding of bitterns at Far Ings.” Beauford Douglas Linley Geoffrey Arthur Taylor Simon Wellock, Warden, Far Ings National Nature Reserve Alfred McGowan Joan May Timson

Ruth Winifred Painter Barbara Mary White RUTH TAYLOR Nature recovery on reserves Caring for and beyond Highland ponies helping Pyramidal orchid special places coastal wildlife We care for 3,852 hectares (9,518 acres) of nature reserves across Lincolnshire. We also Your membership is champion wildlife beyond the boundaries of our nature reserves through targeted work with For the first time we have used ponies protecting local wildlife in to graze reserves. After a successful trial nature reserves and the local authorities, community groups and landowners and through the planning process. at Toby’s Hill Nature Reserve, the small wider countryside Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust manages Looking after the places in our and development, protecting sites group of ponies were moved to almost 100 Nature Reserves and 65 care also requires investment of nature conservation interest and reserve and then to Gibraltar Point where Roadside Nature Reserves across in infrastructure; the paths and securing biodiversity gains. We try they became a popular attraction as well Lincolnshire. These special places are birdwatching signs that gives access to to help decision makers see that as an effective conservation management home to some of the county’s rarest you and all our visitors. solutions with nature are solutions for tool. wildlife as well as a vast array of more We have a long history of working everyone. By looking after our natural common species in partnership; beginning with environment we are also looking after 3,852 They are carefully and sensitively the pioneering partnership with the prosperity and wellbeing of the Green hairstreak hectares of Lincolnshire’s finest managed for the benefit of wildlife. Lincolnshire County Council at Gibraltar people of Lincolnshire. countryside were protected and Creating the right conditions through Point which began in 1948 . We believe we managed as Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust management has seen the return of can achieve more if we work together. nature reserves bitterns to Far Ings and for the first time We are actively involved in forward since 2014 little ringed plovers fledged at planning to try to ensure appropriate An additional 2.2 hectares (5.5 acres) Whisby Nature Park. policies are included in plans, strategies of SSSI grazing land adjacent to MATTHEW BLISSETT MATTHEW

Lapwings have nested at Once they arrived on site at Toby’s Hill, they made no Far Ings Airfield Nature Reserve fuss and started tucking in to the dead grass straight was purchased away, like they had always been there. Their grazing Nature returning to creates a mosaic of short grassland, perfect for a host of Woodhall Spa Airfield associated plants, insects and birds.” Five years ago, with the help of funding Matthew Blissett, Outer Humber & Coast Warden 8,222 forward planning from WREN, a generous legacy, and from and development control donations, we bought the old airfield on applications were checked the outskirts of Woodhall Spa. Formerly Working together for positive change against the Trust’s planning the home of four brave RAF squadrons criteria, of which 398 were Everyone has a part to play in improving future collaboration will further improve during the Second World War but more reviewed in detail and 89 the natural world around them. We work and extend an important north-south recently was used as a sand and gravel were responded to. quarry. with partners to ensure wildlife benefits corridor in the county. wherever possible. As well as being a large site in itself, the We gave advice to Anglian Water, and airfield also connected to various nature North and District reserves and habitats that already exist. Councils, on how to secure gains for six In this one purchase we were able to wildlife on 55km of pipeline installation create a bigger, better and more joined up from Lincoln to . Proposed osprey area for wildlife. works will cause disturbance to soil. nesting platforms Grey partridge, lapwing, turtle dove, We supported the avoidance wherever were put up on cuckoo, song thrush, starling, tree possible of sites designated for their farmland in sparrow, linnet and yellowhammer have biodiversity and geodiversity value. south Lincolnshire bred most years. Whimbrel and curlew However there is also an opportunity have also been seen feeding on the wet to reinstate soil and vegetation in a way grassland. that would be beneficial to wildlife and The process of connecting aid nature’s recovery. Upper and Lower Thanks to funding from the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust cited Environment Agency a number of small central and local government policies islands were recently created in one Sow Dale to call for road verge enhancements nature reserves by buying of the lakes. By spring 2019, lapwings, along Ermine Street which would link the land inbetween began avocets, oystercatchers and black-headed wildflower-rich grassland identified by early in 2019 gulls were all sitting on eggs. the ‘Life on the Verge’ project. Anglian Water and consultant ecologists have

DAVID TIPLING/2020VISION DAVID responded positively and it is hoped that SHAW RACHEL Connecting people to the Inspiring and natural world Experiencing and learning about nature empowering We engage thousands of people every year, inspiring an interest in the natural world Your membership is through walks, talks, school visits and at Visitor Centres, helping people feel less isolated helping people build from nature. connections with nature that will last a lifetime Education in its broadest sense has 70th anniversary of the establishment of over 2,000 historic plant specimens from always been fundamental to the this, the first Trust nature reserve. Lincolnshire have been digitised and Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. Every year We continue to develop relationships added to the national collection at the we help thousands of children to find with a suite of further education National History Museum. The oldest nature and increase their confidence providers including working with the specimen recorded so far is corncockle outdoors through family activities, Open University to host Santander collected in 1817 near Billingborough. Formerly widespread in South & I just wanted to say 27,611 regular children’s nature groups and funded student placements and supported our work as members of schools visiting nature reserves. provide lecturing support and research East England, the a huge thank you to the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust We also hold events for all ages opportunities to students at the corncockle is now you and your team for and provide a range of voluntary University of Lincoln. considered critically our awesome trip to Whisby endangered. opportunities including through our The three year National Lottery yesterday. The children were Wildlife Watch network of Area Groups. Heritage Fund project, now known buzzing and have done some Groups Our 70th anniversary year was no as Love Lincs Plants, is underway follow up work today in class 12 exception and events were held across in partnership with Lincolnshire which has been great.” gave children the opportunity for the county to celebrate the Trusts Naturalists’ Union, Sir Joseph Banks monthly wildlife adventures formation in 1948. Most involved cake Society, University of Lincoln, and the Victoria White, Deputy Head and the display of wildlife themed Natural History Museum in London. Teacher, Radcliffe on Trent Nearly 900 people bunting flags which were sewn, felted New audiences have been identified Infant and Nursery School discovered more about and printed by supporters. The most and engagement with higher education significant event was the launch of establishments, including project dragonflies Barrie Wilkinson’s book ‘The Story of partner University of Lincoln, has Helping the garden grow at drop-in events at Gibraltar Point’ which coincided with the increased. Through Love Lincs Plants, RICHARD BURKMARR Local volunteers from Clarence House hedgerows and a mini meadow plot. Gibraltar Point (Prime Life) in have had Future work includes development of monthly wildlife garden management three botanical raised beds, planting of More than 7,200 children Giving back The Lost Words sessions helping to develop the Love cowslip pot plants and hay raking in late visited Trust Lincs Plants botanical demonstration summer. nature reserves Over £6,000 was raised through a site at the Trust headquarters. The Trust has recently secured with their school crowdfunding campaign to give every Volunteers with learning difficulties and additional funding to enhance the school in Lincolnshire a copy of ‘The physical challenges have been helping to garden through the Lincolnshire Co-op Lost Words’ by Robert Macfarlane and manage herbaceous borders, our native Community Champions Fund. Jackie Morris. The book is an inspiring artistic response to the removal of twenty 340 people joined our nature words from the Oxford Junior Dictionary including bluebell, acorn beach cleans and conker. With acrostic spell poems during the Great British designed to be read aloud and hand- Beach Clean painted illustrations, the book captures weekend in the irreplaceable magic of language and September nature for all ages. Run jointly by the Trust and volunteer Harry Whinney, who originally suggested the idea, the campaign had support from FCC Environment and Walkers Books of LoveLincsPlants themed assemblies were delivered Stamford. We have just received the book ‘The Lost Words’ and in 32 schools to Deliveries to schools were undertaken it looks amazing. We think this book will inspire kids The residents at Clarence House love coming to the 4,831 children by volunteers through our network of that aren’t interested in nature because the book is very Trust garden, having a chat and seeing nature up close. Area Groups, along with help from the Their energy level is always lifted after a morning with Rotary Clubs of Lindum, Lincoln and intriguing. Thank you to everyone who raised the money.” South Holland. Molly and Idris, Year 5, Kidgate Primary School the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust.” Jo, Clarence House supervisor Corporate Membership of the Trust is designed to provide an effective means for companies to demonstrate care for the local environment. The following were Corporate Members during the reporting period: Standing up for our Able UK Aggregate Industries Andrew & Co LLP coast and seas Anglian Water Services ARH Tucker & Sons We continue to make a case for the protection and management B A Bush & Son Limited for coastal and marine habitats. Cargill plc Builders Merchants Achieving Heritage Coast status for engagement along the coast from Clugston Group Limited Lincolnshire is being progressed with Cleethorpes to Gibraltar Point. ConocoPhillips (UK) Limited Natural England, District One of the continuing issues for Cray Valley Limited Council and Lincolnshire County coastal marine protected areas, such Creative Nature Council. Presentations have been given as the Humber Estuary and , Crowder & Sons Ltd to members of both Councils and remains recreational disturbance. Unlike F W Cupit (Printers) Limited approval has been gained. It is hoped other maritime activities these are Fenland Laundries Limited Holivans Limited the definition of Heritage Coast will be not regulated in a traditional manner. Hornsby Travel Services Limited in place and accepted in the planning The Trust is therefore working with J E Piccaver & Co process during 2019. both marine partnerships to develop J W Ruddock & Sons Limited The development phase of the management plans for specific hotspots John E Haith Limited Dynamic Dunes project was also on the Humber, and through a jointly John Kinch Group completed. It is anticipated this national funded project with the National Trust Jolly Common Caravan Park project will start autumn 2019. In and The Wash and North Norfolk Lincolnshire Co-operative Society Limited Lincolnshire we will be working with Marine Partnership on developing Mortons of Horncastle Limited local partners including Natural England understanding of dog disturbance and Natureland Seal Sanctuary to manage some of the county’s sand how to manage it. North East Lindsey Drainage Board dune habitats and delivering public Page Paper Limited Riva Construction Rare natterjack toads will benefit from Rowhire Limited the Dynamic Dunes Project SCS Technology Solutions Limited Sibelco UK Singleton Birch Limited TCS UK Spraying Truelove Property & Construction UK Alternative Energy Limited Yara (UK) Limited Woodhall Country Park MATTHEW BLISSETT MATTHEW We are grateful to the following for substantial financial support in 2018/2019 Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust through donations, grants and the Banovallum House, Manor House Street, Horncastle, Lincolnshire LN9 5HF sponsorship of projects: 01507 526667 [email protected] Registered charity no. 218895 Anglian Water Services Presidents: Centrica Mr G L Trinder ARPS (President) appointed 13.11.18 Defra Mr B Tear BSc (Vice President) East Lindsey District Council Trustees/Directors: Mr M Capper resigned 29.07.19 Environment Agency Mr D A Cohen (Chair) Mrs C E Harrison BSc Esmée Fairburn Foundation Mrs J Mellor MSc (Deputy Chair) Mr C Morrison CSci Mr T S Sands (Deputy Chair) Mr R Oates European Union Dr D A Sheppard BSc PhD (Deputy Chair) Mrs A Quigley BA FCC Environment Mr P Stapleton FCA (Honorary Treasurer) Mrs S Round BA MSc (Econ) Lincolnshire County Council stepped down as Hon Treasurer 13.11.18, resigned Mrs A Rose resigned 18.4.18 Lincolnshire Co-op as Trustee 16.07.19 Mr M Smith BSc (Hons) CMIOSH Ministry of Defence Mr J Purvis BSc FCA (Honorary Treasurer) appointed 20.10.18 National Lottery Heritage Fund appointed 13.11.18 Mrs B Tyrrel MIBC Natural England Company Secretary: Paul V Learoyd Senior Staff: District Council Chief Executive: Paul V Learoyd RSPB Head of Conservation: Tammy M Smalley RSWT Head of Finance: Sarah J Smith Santander Head of Nature Reserves: David R Bromwich The Banister Charitable Trust Vine House Farm www.lincstrust.org.uk