Annual 2014/15 Review

Protecting Wildlife for the Future v

Contents

The Wildlife Trusts 4 What We Do 6 Where We Work 7 From our Chair & CEO 8 People & Nature: our impact 10 Living Landscapes: our impact 12 Living Seas: our impact 14 Highlights around the UK 16 Financial and Organisational Information 20 Our Partners & Biodiversity Benchmark 21 Find your Wildlife Trust 22 My Wild Life stories 23

The statistics in this Annual Review cover the period April 1 2014 - March 31 2015. Elm trees at Holy Vale - a damp The projects and work covered here broadly run from Spring 2014 to Summer 2015. and wild wooded valley with a To download a pdf version go to wildlifetrusts.org/annualreview To order a paper copy please contact [email protected] fabulous nature trail to explore. Holy Vale is looked after by the . Registered Charity No 207238. Cover photo: Children exploring Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust. peatland habitats at Astley Moss, Lancashire v The Wildlife Trusts

Nature makes Wherever you are there is a life possible, it Wildlife Trust caring for wildlife also makes life worth living.

and wild places near you. It gives us food, clean water and fresh air, shields us from the elements, and gives us joy, We reach millions of people, inspiring them to value wellbeing and wonder. The Wildlife wildlife and encouraging them to take action for it. Trusts want to help nature recover from the decline that for decades Together, we have a mission to create Living has been the staple diet of scientific studies and news stories. To do this Landscapes and secure Living Seas. we urgently need to repair the disconnection between people and the natural world, involving people of all ages and backgrounds but vitally our children, the future generations that will care for our planet. On land wildlife needs space to thrive beyond the protected nature reserves that have saved the last remaining fragments of wildness. And at sea we must protect areas now for a future when our seas are richer in wildlife than they are today.

Why? Because all our lives are better when they are a bit wild.

Did you There are more Wildlife Trust nature know reserves than branches of McDonalds in the UK.

Volunteers at Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust's Attenborough nature reserve.

04 The Wildlife Trusts | Annual Review 2014/15 The Wildlife Trusts | Annual Review 2014/15 05 What We Do Near You

Across the UK, The Wildlife Trusts The Wildlife Trusts in our care 130 visitor and give millions of people a chance education centres > 98,000 CHAMPIONING NATURE our trusts hectares of land to connect with nature. 3,100 km of rivers 47 cared for by Trust benefitting from our advice Wildlife Trusts around the UK, and 2,300 nature reserves We help adults and children alike to experience nature and 159,000 the Isle of Man hectares of land advised on enjoy our beautiful wild places, learn from our experts, care 5,000 inspiring people for their local patches and take action for wildlife. We use planning applications responded to 8.1 million time spent in nature to help people manage and recuperate visits to our reserves 100s from illness, gain new skills and make new friends. of MPs/MSPs met in person to around 11,000 talk to about wildlife events run

395,000 people attending our events, our people walks and talks We champion and care for wild v places and wildlife. We look after 43,000 more than 98,000 hectares of volunteers 168,000 people engaged through our woods, meadows, beaches, rivers, 1.2 million outreach programmes hills, bogs and urban parks. We hours dedicated by with schools, care homes provide expert advice to others - our volunteers and other places farmers, schools, businesses, local councils - to help them manage > 800,000 their land for the benefit of wildlife. members We also campaign for the 2,100 protection of our seas and run staff marine conservation projects around the . > 600 trustees We work with a wide range of different people to create change for nature. We collaborate and work in partnership with all kinds of people and groups, from local School children exploring 's communities to national Camley Street Natural Park, King's Cross. environmental and social organisations.

• Improving people’s • Creating networks health and happiness of connected areas for through nature wildlife experiences What we're • Saving and caring • Helping people to take doing somewhere for wild places action for wildlife N KEY near you ... • Restoring natural • Inspiring future W E habitats and wild places generations to love Marine Conservation Living Landscape wildlife through outdoor Projects Areas S learning Visitor and Education Nature Centres Reserves

06 The Wildlife Trusts | Annual Review 2014/15 The Wildlife Trusts | Annual Review 2014/15 07 From our Chair and CEO

As a charity, we have over a hundred years of history in helping wildlife...... but it is easy to overlook the profound role we play in society in positively impacting on millions of people’s health and happiness.

In 2014-15 The Wildlife Trusts We are working hard to ensure that 's first colony of wild continued to work throughout the the centrality of nature to education, beavers in and Wildlife UK to stand up for wildlife and to healthcare and the economy is Trusts around the coast press for a visionary and urgent better recognised by demonstrating championed wildlife in our seas, approach to restoring our battered the power of nature to change and collecting vital scientific data to ecosystems. affect lives. And at the same time we build the case for properly are working directly to safeguard the protected areas around the UK. This year saw the start of our My intricate web of life that exists Wild Life campaign which aimed to around us. An outstanding 1.2 million hours underline the true importance of have been contributed by our wildlife to all sorts of different In the build up to the General volunteers this year. Our volunteers, people’s lives. Wildlife Trusts Election, Trusts from across the UK members and the many people collected and shared countless tales contacted potential candidates to we work with are the lifeblood of of why nature matters to people. promote a Nature & Wellbeing Act - our movement. Wild places help to store our water positive environmental legislation to Thank you for your support. in the uplands, to filter it, to capture restore wildlife in a generation. We carbon from the atmosphere and are published a joint green paper the places where our beautiful supported by 25 NGOs and wildlife can thrive. But we are also promoted the idea to all main part of nature and when deprived of parties. The result of this activity saw contact with other species and the the Green Party and Liberal natural world, human beings get Democrats commit to an Act while stressed. The stories people shared Labour and the Conservatives through My Wild Life made this included key aspects in their absolutely clear. manifestos. Key to this is the vision of ecological networks through The story of a little boy in which we can map nature's René Olivieri who suffers from Attention Deficit recovery. ’s My Chair Hyperactivity Disorder and Autism Wild City Project produced just such showed how exploring in the wild a comprehensive map of habitats calmed him and made him happier. across Bristol to help transform A man in Nottinghamshire had gardens and open spaces. been bullied at school and left with chronic low self-esteem. We also battled immediate The Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust's threats such as major housing Recovery Project was a gateway to a developments - not least one new life for him giving him the threatening a nationally important confidence to apply for jobs. wildlife site in Kent - and fought to Family time at Wildlife Trust's Abberton Reservoir. save Rampisham Down in Dorset. Stephanie Hilborne OBE We campaigned to safeguard Chief Executive

08 The Wildlife Trusts | Annual Review 2014/15 The Wildlife Trusts | Annual Review 2014/15 09 People & Nature Impacts in Action

Nature matters. LOCATION 50+ orchards across Herefordshire It’s vital to our well-being and crucial for our future. But it is TRUST under pressure from our ever-increasing population and its Herefordshire demands. The health of our natural environment affects our Wildlife Trust IMPACT whole quality of life, from the air we breathe to where we 70 people involved and play football at the weekend. positive management for traditional orchards

Our goal is to give everyone the We inspire the next generation to through access to nature. We work Herefordshire chance to connect with wildlife. To care for nature. We recognise that in partnership with local NHS is home to some protect the natural world, we must we must gather support from Trusts and health charities as part encourage people to care about it nature’s future champions if we are of the therapeutic process. of the UK’s by giving them a chance to to help wildlife in the long-term. experience it. Every year, thousands of schools We mobilise people to take action most important visit our nature reserves and for nature. We engage people in From the dawn chorus to the smell centres, and we deliver outreach practical, on-the-ground work. In traditional of woods filled with wild garlic, we programmes that engage children turn, we rely on the dedication orchards. show people the joys of wildlife. across the country. We run and commitment of our 43,000 We provide beautiful places to visit, pioneering schemes like Forest volunteers. We also work closely Orchard Origins was set up by and thousands of opportunities to Schools and Wild Play, and our with policy and decision-makers. the Trust in partnership with learn about our natural world. This junior branch, Wildlife Watch, has From affecting local developments Herefordshire Mind in 2012 to year, 8.1 million visits were made 150,000 members. to campaigning for the national improve people’s mental well-being to our nature reserves and protection of our seas, we are an though spending time managing centres, 395,000 people attended We know that nature affects our active and respected voice in traditional orchards. There are an local events such as walks and health and well-being in a hugely public debate. estimated 14,500 adults suffering talks, and 16,000 people got positive way. So we run a range of with mental health conditions in involved in our training projects to help improve people’s the county and research has programmes. physical and mental health shown that spending time in nature can help some people to cope with mental ill health. Thanks All stats from to a successful few years Orchard April 2014 - March 2015 168,000 Origins is now a fully-fledged Our impact people engaged through Community Interest Company outreach visits to schools, care homes and other places owned by the Trust. Its team of 8,100,000 volunteers undertake work in more visits to our nature reserves than 50 of the county’s most 43,000 beautiful and often neglected volunteers from all walks of life orchards, many of which are 1,200,000 privately owned and in need of hours contributed management to keep them thriving. by our volunteers Julia Morton 16,000 To date in 2015, over 1,400 volunteer people taking part in training Orchard Origins Project Officer courses and programmes hours have been offered in pruning, 395,000 harvesting, cider and juice people attending our walks, production and sales. An average talks and other events 12,000 of 8 – 10 people attend each events session and the positive impacts on the mental well-being of its 224,000 people visited our nature volunteers has been far reaching. reserves and education 8,500 Martin – one of the Orchard Origins volunteers centres with schools, young people involved in college and group visits our nature clubs and groups

10 The Wildlife Trusts | Annual Review 2014/15 The Wildlife Trusts | Annual Review 2014/15 11 Living Landscapes Impacts in Action

Our nature reserves are precious LOCATION Willow Tree Fen, wildlife sites; but for nature to TRUST flourish, we need to give it space to Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust AREA OF LAND thrive beyond these boundaries. 110 hectares IMPACT Restoration of wild fenland At The Wildlife Trusts, we are thinking big and working habitats and improved across whole landscapes to recover nature and help wildlife public access return and spread through the wider countryside. We are working towards Living Landscapes. In 2015 Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Within Living Landscapes our We are leading 150 Living landowners, to businesses and completed its wildlife-rich places are not isolated Landscape schemes around the community groups, we partner islands in a sea of inhospitable UK, which fit together like the with, and offer advice to, many Willow Tree land, but bigger, better and more pieces of a jigsaw, forming a different people. joined up havens for both wildlife network of high-quality natural Fen and people. Wildlife can move areas for people and wildlife. But Our Living Landscape work restoration about freely and adapt to the this is a work in progress and we reconnects people with the natural challenges of climate change; can only be successful if a wide world and promotes the benefits it project in south natural processes, such as flood range of people are involved. We provides. From food production to storage and carbon capture, can work closely with others to help clean water, healthy lifestyles to Lincolnshire. function; and people can enjoy them to understand our vision and creative inspiration, Living Landscapes easy access to green spaces. manage land for the benefit of can give us everything we need to The Trust bought 110 hectares of wildlife. From farmers and be happy and prosperous. farmland in 2009 which has been transformed into a thriving mix of wild wetland habitats with increased public access. The farmland was previously used to 270 grow beans and cereals but Our impact kilometres of river directly managed by became very waterlogged in wet Wildlife Trusts periods. Thanks to this restoration 98,000 work by the Trust, the area of wild hectares of land directly managed fenland in Lincolnshire has by Wildlife Trusts 3,100 increased by 200% and new kilometres of river benefiting from the habitat and new wildlife rich places management advice of Wildlife Trusts have been created. Willow Tree Fen

159,000 now attracts large number of hectares of land benefiting from Aerial view of Willow Tree Fen, Lincolnshire the management advice of 5,000 wetland birds including lapwing, showing newly created wetland habitats to Wildlife Trusts hectares of land protected or redshank and snipe returning to the right of the River Glen. enhanced for wildlife through our lost habitats. A network of paths work within the planning system and viewing points has been created for visitors.

Wildlife habitats at Willow Tree Fen.

12 The Wildlife Trusts | Annual Review 2014/15 The Wildlife Trusts | Annual Review 2014/15 13 Living Seas Impacts in Action

The Wildlife Trusts have a LOCATION Wester Ross Marine Protected Area, North West vision for Living Seas, where TRUST marine wildlife thrives, from IMPACT the high seas to the cliffs and Seabed survey to collect new data to help protect beaches around our coast. habitats

But decades of neglect and overexploitation have left In August, the our oceans damaged and degraded, a shadow of their Scottish Wildlife former diversity and abundance. Trust carried out drop-down video surveys in the To turn this around, we are Protected areas at sea are the key To help our seas thrive, we also championing new ways of thinking to the recovery of our marine work with a range of stakeholders. Wester Ross about the sea. We want to restore wildlife. Through data collection We are encouraging the UK’s natural ocean processes and and partnership working, we fishing industry to move towards a Marine Protected enable seabed habitats to recover support the designation and better future by reducing its Area (MPA) on the so our seas can store and process management of Marine Protected impacts on our seas and carbon from the atmosphere, Areas – places at sea where human encouraging sustainable catches. west coast of improving the resilience of the activities, such as fishing, are We are working with the marine natural environment. We want to restricted and habitats are industry to avoid damage to our Scotland. see marine wildlife recover as our conserved. And highly damaging natural habitats. And we are This is one of 30 new MPAs use of the sea’s resources becomes activities, like scallop dredging, are championing Living Seas with local created by the Scottish sustainable. And we want to banned. As part of a well-managed and national government in order Government in 2014. The Scottish inspire people about the sea and network, these protected areas can to improve the laws and policies Wildlife Trust were at the forefront the value it holds for our quality of improve the health of our marine that manage our seas. of efforts to establish these life – so we all have a strong environment by providing refuges protected areas and have been connection to it. for fish and other animals to breed, undertaking research to improve helping our seas to recover from knowledge of important seabed past impacts and live up to current habitats to ensure they get the pressures. protection they need. Over the course of two days of surveying the Trust collected new data on maerl beds, a protected habitat in 10,000 the MPA formed by a coral-like red Our impact people supported our campaign for seaweed. The success of the new protected areas for whales, surveys carried out to date in sharks, porpoises and dolphins 2,500 Wester Ross has sparked interest people used our e-action to respond in carrying out similar work to the Government’s Marine around the Scottish coast. Conservation Zone consultation 6,000 marine campaigners – our Friends of Marine Conservation Zones 170 Screengrab from a drop-down video survey of MPs signed the Marine Charter for an Maerl habitat at Wester Ross, November 2014. 100 Watch more at: youtube.com/TheSWTVideos Ecologically Coherent Network of events took place in National Equipment used for undersea wildlife surveys. Marine Protected Areas in UK seas Marine Week 2015

14 The Wildlife Trusts | Annual Review 2014/15 The Wildlife Trusts | Annual Review 2014/15 15 Around The Around The Wildlife Trusts... Wildlife Trusts...

Scotland England uk Scottish Wildlife Trust In December 2014 the Avon Wildlife Trust’s Avon Wildlife Trust’s around , Trust, together with partners the Royal Zoological My Wild City project is creating a city-wide urban the Society of Scotland (RZSS), published the final Living Landscape within Bristol. Engaging with i m report on the Scottish Beaver Trial, where beavers neighbourhoods, businesses and individuals to sle of ana have been reintroduced to Knapdale Forest in transform gardens and open spaces for wildlife and Argyll. The Scottish Government is due to make a and people. Derbyshire Wildlife Trust’s Value in Trees lderney decision on whether the beavers can remain. project has been hugely successful in getting people across the county to take action for trees, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & whether planting new trees, collecting important N I Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust's trained and tree seeds or mapping veteran trees. 47 orthern reland licensed Mammal Project team is vaccinating Wildlife Trusts Ulster Wildlife’s The Shore Thing project badgers on reserves in West Berkshire and West in and around offers schools, community groups and volunteers Oxfordshire. has been granted a the British the chance to monitor the effects of rising sea Isles five-year licence to monitor the wild beavers on temperatures on our rocky shore species, helping the River Otter. The River Otter Beaver Trial collects to measure and understand the impacts of climate Bedfordshire, & information about the population, range and change. In September 2014 Ulster Wildlife began a Northamptonshire Wildlife Trust ran a health of the beavers through survey and a Here are some of new project ‘Save Our Magnificent Meadows’ to successful campaign with the local community to volunteer network. our highlights help protect and restore wildflower meadows in from 2014-15 save important wetland habitats from a local road Fermanagh and Tyrone. Work will be undertaken proposal at Godmanchester in the Ouse Valley. with local landowners to manage rough grassland, restore species diversity using brush harvested seed and green hay, and protect marsh fritillary butterflies - one of Europe’s most endangered species. Birmingham & Black Country Wildlife Isles of Scilly Trust is working towards a Living Landscape W Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust is running across 40,000 hectares of land. The Birmingham ales the pioneering Pumlumon project, which will build and Black Country Nature Improvement Area an upland economy around wildlife, ecology and includes more than 200 projects involving over ’s Great Heath Living long-term sustainability. The project area spans 2,000 volunteers. Landscape is one of the largest conservation 40,000 hectares of the Cambrian Mountains. schemes in the area. With generous support, the is running a four- Trust has purchased 580 hectares of wildlife-rich North Wildlife Trust is developing year volunteering project called Natural Futures. land from the Canford Estate, safeguarding it for its Alun and Chwiler Living Landscape. The scheme The project encourages more people to do the future. will build a network of high-quality natural areas by more for nature in order to improve the natural creating and restoring habitats, and advising local environment, and to provide health and social has been awarded is running a landowners about managing land for wildlife. benefits for local people. £223,100 by HLF to develop a detailed action three-year project in the Upper Tawe Valley. plan to preserve and enhance the landscape Wild Communities is connecting local people surrounding the River Skerne. If successfully with nature and encouraging them to care for it, delivered, this will lead to over £2.8m of further gain new skills and boost their health and wellbeing. Wildlife Trust funding. has developed and launched the is working closely with innovative Cornwall Natural Resources Wales and local landowners to secured funds and ran a Good Seafood Guide, create and restore habitats around the River Trothy. successful appeal to buy new land at Fingringhoe which brings together As well as providing new and improved habitat for Wick, where, in partnership with the Environment all the information needed to help you make wildlife, this work will also help to improve water Agency, a major new tidal wetland has been environmentally informed decisions when buying quality in the river. created. locally caught seafood.

Radnorshire Wildlife Trust recently bought The Wildlife Trust for South & West Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust is working Abercamlo Bog nature reserve, a mix of heath Wales is developing its Living Seas work; through was awarded the with local landowners to implement important pasture and boggy mires. The Trust can now its Future Fisheries project, supported by the Welsh Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental flood defences in and around the Slad Brook manage the site for wildlife, such as sphagnum Government’s 'Nature Fund'. The project champions Management’s 2015 award for Best Practice for which runs through its Snows Farm nature reserve. mosses and butterflies, and keep it safe from a low impact, profitable fishing industry in Wales Large-Scale Nature Conservation, for the Trust’s More than 60 natural flood defences have development for the future. which will enable marine wildlife to thrive. work to restore Foulshaw and Meathop Mosses. been constructed.

16 The Wildlife Trusts | Annual Review 2014/15 The Wildlife Trusts | Annual Review 2014/15 17 Around the Around the Wildlife Trusts... Wildlife Trusts...

Leicestershire & Sheffield Wildlife Trust’s Rotherham Rivers Tees Valley Wildlife Trust’s Wild Green Rutland Wildlife project is a landscape-scale conservation Places project began with a series of family friendly programme across 12 sites along the rivers Don events. This project aims to increase people’s has been Trust and Rother. Work in progress includes understanding of the Tees Valley’s public open busy preparing for renaturalising the rivers, creating new wetland spaces and get local people involved in caring for the opening of a new habitats and community engagement. them. Volunteer Training Centre Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife at Rutland Water nature Trust undertook a commercial consultancy reserve. The new Centre Shropshire Wildlife Trust is providing Warwickshire Wildlife Trust is the lead project for BT Group. The project identified and now provides support and training for volunteers in expertise in conservation management across the partner in the Tame Valley Landscape mapped a new area of seagrass beds on the Isle conservation, countryside and heritage skills. Meres and Mosses Nature Improvement Area – a Partnership delivering a landscape scale conservation of Wight, thereby modifying BT’s plans for a new unique group of wetlands in the region that were and engagement scheme covering 10,400 hectares in cable installation. created during the last Ice Age. North Warwickshire and South Staffordshire. Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust completed its Willow Tree Fen project, resulting in a 200% Herefordshire Wildlife Trust is undertaking increase in the county’s wild fenland. As a result, has mapped 600 Wildlife Trust’s volunteers are a project with local landowners and businesses to threatened species like water voles and marsh hectares through on-the-ground surveys. The the heart and soul of its Source to Sea project. To create connected and naturally functioning habitats harriers have now set up home in the newly Somerset Habitat Map project, which is recording date, the project has tackled a tremendous 209 km within the Lower Lugg Valley Living Landscape. created wetland habitats. every field across the county, aims to see how local of Himalayan balsam – an invasive species that This project has mapped over 44 kilometres of habitats might form a wider network throughout crowds out our native plants and flowers along River habitat, and advised over 20 farms. Somerset. riverbanks.

Hertfordshire & Middlesex Wildlife Staffordshire Wildlife Trust is improving Worcestershire Wildlife Trust has purchased Blackhouse Woods thanks to their most Trust celebrated 50 years of conservation the network of footpaths on the Roaches nature successful ever appeal raising over £200,000 from work. The Trust also started hosting the Herts reserve to provide better access for people and to support from members and funding bodies. Environmental Records Centre which now has over restore the local landscape. With 100,000 visitors 1m species records. every year, this will take the pressure off this fragile environment. Wildlife Trust’s partnership project, Fishing 4 Litter Holderness, aims to reduce the amount Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust secured funds London Wildlife Trust’s Woodberry Wildlife Trust’s Wild Beach of litter in the by engaging fishermen in to provide access improvements on all islands Wetlands project will see the East Reservoir in project brings the Forest Schools philosophy to collecting and preventing marine litter. such as coastal path repair and installation of North East London opened to public access after Suffolk’s coastal habitats. In a series of outdoor boardwalks along with visitor interpretation of the almost 200 years. Large-scale habitat creation and education and play sessions, children develop an islands nature and landscapes. restoration works are already benefiting wildlife, understanding of beach and marine ecosystems C D and local communities. rown ependencies and spend time in nature. championed the designation of the Folkestone Pomerania Wildlife Trust has been busy opened a new nature Marine Conservation Zone for its important preparing for, and opening, the Simon Aspinall reserve at Priest Hill near Epsom in June 2014. This marine habitats. The Trust worked closely with Wildlife Education Centre at . This 80ha site has been transformed from abandoned stakeholders in the area and supplied valuable brand new facility helps visitors to explore, playing fields into a thriving place for wildlife and data in support of the designation. discover and be inspired by wildlife and hosts an the local community, with and grassland exciting event programme. habitat created.

Northumberland Wildlife Trust is celebrated the steaming ahead with its Save Our Magnificent 10th anniversary of the Alderney West Coast Meadows project. This is transforming the fortunes and Islands Ramsar site – home to of our vanishing wildflower meadows, grasslands regionally, nationally and internationally important and wildlife, targeting habitat restoration work on populations of seabirds including Storm Petrels, 6,000 hectares of land. Lesser Black-backed gulls and Northern Gannets.

Sussex Wildlife Trust is working in Lancashire Wildlife Trust The Trust opened Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust ran their partnership on the widely successful Seasearch has been deeply a new 77ha nature reserve at Lunt Meadows. most successful ever fundraising campaign to secure project. Aimed at involving volunteer divers who involved in the consultation on, and production The site functions as a flood storage basin for the the future of land at Blott’s Pit near Nottingham have an interest in learning about the marine of, the Manx Biodiversity Strategy, which aims River Alt, and is managed by the Trust as a wetland where the Trust is now restoring habitats within its environment, the project is mapping seabed to protect the Island’s wide variety of plant and nature reserve. extended Skylarks Nature Reserve. habitats and marine wildlife. animal species in their natural environments.

18 The Wildlife Trusts | Annual Review 2014/15 The Wildlife Trusts | Annual Review 2014/15 19 Financial and Biodiversity Organisational Info Benchmark

Our Our As of 31 March 2015 Sites belonging to the following people... income... companies were recertified Biodiversity following an annual assessment: Patron Center Parcs UK Ltd; Heathrow HRH The Prince of Wales Our work relies on the financial support of our Benchmark Airport Ltd; Aggregate Industries UK Ltd; Tarmac Ltd; E.ON UK; President members, donors, and legators. The majority of standards were Springfields Fuels Ltd; EDF Energy; OBE our income comes from these supporters – held on 53 sites Lilly UK; Viridor UK; Veolia Presidents Emeritus passionate people who share our vision for an Environmental Services; Met Office; Sir environment rich in wildlife for everyone. Network Rail HS1; Wrigley Company. OM CH CVO CBE FRS covering 8,900ha. Prof Aubrey Manning OBE We are also very grateful for the grants that make many of our individual projects possible. These are received from local authorities, statutory During the year Biodiversity The following sites entered the Chair agencies, governments and regional development agencies. Funding Benchmark standard was achieved assessment process and were René Olivieri from the Landfill Communities Fund also enables us to save land for by the following sites: EDF Energy undergoing assessment as of 31 nature and connect communities with their local wildlife Vice Presidents Generation Ltd – Hunterston and March 2015: Anglia Prof J Chris Baines We also extend our appreciation to the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Big Torness; Gatwick Airport Ltd – North Ruskin University Nick Baker Lottery Fund the players of the People’s Postcode Lottery and to the & West Zone, River Mole and land – all campuses; Bill Bolsover CBE many charitable trusts whose invaluable support is vital to our efforts to east of the railway line; National Air Prof David Macdonald secure nature’s recovery. Green Park Ltd; CBE DSc FRS Traffic Services – Swanwick Lakes. Heathrow Airport Bill Oddie OBE Our particular thanks go to the Arcadia Fund, the Brian Woolf Charitable Trust, Ltd – Princes Lake. Julian Pettifer OBE the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, the John Ellerman Foundation, the Marsh Prof Sir Robert Worcester Christian Trust, the Michael Uren Foundation, the Linbury Trust the Peter De KBE DL Haan Charitable Trust, the Rees Jeffreys Road Fund and The Rothschild Foundation who support several Wildlife Trusts or the whole movement. Chief Executive Grassland habitats at Gatwick Airport. Stephanie Hilborne OBE

Our income

Our UK Nestlé UK and Nestlé Waters UK £126 m Wildlife Trusts RSWT* Wildlife Trusts Nestlé UK has been working with *RSWT income for 2014-15 includes £6m redistributed partnerships... Wildlife Trusts around the country as Local Food and Landfill Communities Fund grants to create and manage wildflower £9 m of behalf of Biffa and the Big Lottery Fund. meadows and to help local schools access Royal Society of *Excluding inter-Trust grants and contributions. Across The Wildlife Trusts we are fortunate to them. We have been working with Nestlé Wildlife Trusts enjoy relationships with over 2,000 businesses Waters to pilot a project to enable (RSWT) of all shapes and sizes. At a UK level our communities in Derbyshire to benefit relationships with business are many and from access to nature. How we spend our money (England only) varied and include a small number of formal Charitable activities Generating voluntary income partnerships. Vine House Farm Trading to raise funds Governance Our partnership with Vine House Farm raised further significant funds for % Other Investment management 79 8% Aggregate Industries UK ltd Wildlife Trusts across the UK. This year Charitable Trading to activities As you would expect for any effective charity, the Aggregate Industries has been a staunch the total raised through this partnership 11% raise funds Generating vast majority of our funds are spent on our and committed supporter for many since it began in 2006 passed £1,000,000! voluntary charitable activities. The graphic shows the average years. The company has continued to income % % mean expenditure of all English Wildlife Trusts using fund some key conferences and supports Waitrose 1 1 data from the Charity Commission. It is provided as Governance Other individual Wildlife Trusts to create Living Waitrose generously donates 10% of the a guide to expenditure and does not show the Landscapes. sale price of re-usable cups to expenditure of a single Wildlife Trust. complement its free tea and coffee offer. Where we spend our money Busy Bees Childcare This is raising funds to support our work We work with Busy Bees Childcare to with children. help the 20,000 children who attend their £126 m Individual RSWT nurseries and their parents to enjoy Willmott Dixon Spent by individual Wildlife Trusts nature and wildlife. Willmott Dixon has committed to Wildlife Trusts on obtaining advice from The Wildlife activity in their area Around 98% of our money is spent locally by individual Wildlife Trusts. Around 2% is spent Center Parcs UK Trusts in relation to the developments it centrally on English and UK-wide activities for We are proud to be one of Center Parcs’ is involved with. This will ensure wildlife £3 m The Wildlife Trusts. two charity partners and work with the is protected and enhanced on spent on activity at a company to help guests enjoy nature developments where possible. UK and England level before, during and after their holiday.

20 The Wildlife Trusts | Annual Review 2014/15 The Wildlife Trusts | Annual Review 2014/15 21 Find your About My Wildlife Trust Wild Life

In March 2015 The Wildlife Trusts began Stay in touch and get all the latest My Wild Life - a new wildlife news, views and natural campaign to share stories from people inspiration where you are... around the UK about Shetland and how nature matters to Follow your Wildlife Trust on Twitter Orkney Islands them. You can share @wildlifetrusts @wildlifewatch your story at Scottish mywildlife.org.uk or @ScotWildlife use #MyWildLife in Avon social media. @avonwt Key Beds, Cambs & Northants Scotland @wildlifebcn England Berks, Bucks & Oxon @BBOWT Wales Northern Ireland Birmingham & Black Country Scotland @WTBBC Crown Dependencies Cheshire @CheshireWT For Facebook Cornwall accounts go to @CornwallNature wildlifetrusts.org/ Cumbria facebook @cumbriawildlife my Derbyshire @DerbysWildlife Northumberland Devon @DevonWildlife Dorset Ulster Durham Tees Valley recovery @DorsetWildlife Cumbria Durham @durhamwildlife — my wild life — Essex Isle of Man @EssexWildlife Yorkshire Simone, Stanley Moss, Durham Gloucestershire Somerset Lancs, Mancs @gloswildlife and N Mersey @SomersetWT Sheffield Hampshire & Isle of Wight Staffordshire Derbyshire @HantsIWWildlife Cheshire @StaffsWildlife Gogledd Cymru Notts Lincolnshire Herefordshire Suffolk North Wales @HerefordshireWT @suffolkwildlife Staffordshire Shropshire Norfolk Herts & Middlesex Surrey Sir Drefaldwyn Leics and Rutland @HMWTBadger Montgomery B‘ham and @SurreyWT Black Country Beds, Cambs, N’hants Isles of Scilly Sussex Maesyfed @ScillyWildlife Radnor Worcs Warwicks Suffolk @SussexWildlife Herefordshire Kent De a Gorllewin Cymru Tees Valley Brycheiniog Herts South and West Wales Brecknock Gloucestershire @KentWildlife and Essex @teeswildlife Berks, M’sex Gwent Bucks Lancashire Warwickshire and Oxon @Lancswildlife London @WKWT Avon & Rutland Wiltshire Wiltshire Hants Surrey Kent @LeicsWildlife @WiltsWildlife and Somerset Isle of Wight Lincolnshire Worcestershire Sussex @LincsWildlife @WorcsWT Devon Dorset London Yorkshire @WildLondon @YorksWildlife Cornwall Norfolk Alderney @SupportNWT After undergoing brain surgery, Simone suffered from severe headaches and was worried that she would find volunteering with Northumberland Isles of Scilly @NorthWildlife Durham Wildlife Trust too strenuous; in fact, she has found that the Nottinghamshire Brecknock North Wales Ulster fresh air soothes her aches, helping her to feel happy and healthy again. @Nottswildlife @Brecknock_WT @North_Wales_WT @ulsterwildlife Wild places encourage our minds and bodies to recover from illness. Sheffield Gwent Radnorshire Alderney Find your wild life with Durham Wildlife Trust. DURHAM @WildSheffield @GwentWildlife @rwtwales @AlderneyWT www.durhamwt.com FROM TEES TO TYNE Shropshire Montgomeryshire South & West Wales Manx @ShropsWildlife @MontWildlife @WTSWW @manxnature

22 The Wildlife Trusts | Annual Review 2014/15 The Wildlife Trusts | Annual Review 2014/15 23 my my livelihood family time — my wild life — — my wild life — Francis Harris, Mounts Bay, Cornwall Mahesh & Tanvi, Chinthursy Hill, Surrey

Wildlife lover Francis is one of Cornwall’s longest standing and most sustainable fishermen. We work closely with local fishermen to ensure healthy seas and productive fisheries. Mahesh doesn't get much time to see Tanvi during the week Love Cornwall, love its wildlife? Join us today and help secure Cornwall’s future so weekend adventures with the Trust are a must. www.cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk/join Cornwall Find a host of family events at Surrey Photograph by Alastair Sopp www.surreywildlifetrust.org.uk/whats-on

24 The Wildlife Trusts | Annual Review 2014/15 The Wildlife Trusts | Annual Review 2014/15 25 my my social network neighbourhood — my wild life — — my wild life — Dom, Idle Valley Nature Reserve, Retford Sir David, Crane Park, London

Dom’s job as Recovery Project Leader at Idle Valley combines his two passions, working with people and nature. As well as having the satisfaction of watching this special wild place Sir David Attenborough has travelled the world in search of wildlife and wild blossom under proper care, he can see the difference every day spaces. But much closer to home, he can explore the hidden woodland at Crane that he, and the project, makes to those most in need of mental Park Island, discover flying stag beetles in his garden and marvel at ancient assistance, support and friendship. trees in London’s parks.

Wild places bring communities together. Having wild places nearby helps people go on their own journeys of discovery.

Find your wild life with your Wildlife Trust. Discover your wild life with the The Wildlife Trusts.

nottinghamshirewildlife.org Nottinghamshire www.wildlifetrusts.org

26 The Wildlife Trusts | Annual Review 2014/15 The Wildlife Trusts | Annual Review 2014/15 27 JOIN YOUR WILDLIFE TRUST Become part of a growing movement of people taking action for wildlife and wild places. Find out more: wildlifetrusts.org/joinus

REMEMBER WILDLIFE IN YOUR WILL Consider leaving a gift in your will to your Wildlife Trust, or to the Wildlife Trust movement as a whole. Find out more: wildlifetrusts.org/ giftinyourwill or call 01636 677711 or email legacy@ wildlifetrusts.org

PHOTO CREDITS Cover: Eleanor Church. P2: Ed Marshall. P4-5: Matthew Roberts. P7: Emma Oldham. P9: Matthew Roberts. P11: Fergus Coyle. P13: Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. P15: Scottish Wildlife Trust. P16: Brecknock Wildlife Trust. The Wildlife Trust for South and West Wales. P17: . Tony Bates. P18: Lancashire Wildlife Trust. Eric Renno. Penny Dixie. P19: Peter Dow. John Ball. Vic Froome. P21: Rachel Bicker. P23: Eleanor Church. P24: Alistair Sopp. P27: Eleanor Church. A huge thanks to all the photographers who kindly support our work.

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The Wildlife Trusts The Kiln, Waterside, Mather Road, Newark, Notts NG24 1WT t 01636 677 711 f 01636 670 001 e [email protected] Registered Charity No 207238 wildlifetrusts.org @wildlifetrusts

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