What is some of the important work that Wiltshire Wildlife currently do day to day?

Since 1962, Wiltshire Wildlife Trust has aimed to help establish a sustainable future for wildlife and people across our region. Our purpose is to lead by example in delivering nature’s recovery, connecting all communities and generations with our natural world and empowering them to take meaningful and positive action for nature and the climate.

The Trust is not just about protecting species, encouraging biodiversity and tackling climate change but bringing people and places together. Our Conservation team manages over 40 reserves, to ensure wildlife can flourish and people can experience our sites safely and at their full potential. Our reserves are free to access for anyone wishing to explore and spend time in nature.

We also have various engagement and education projects across the county. Our education team work with young people through forest schools and outdoor activities, making sure all ages have access to nature. Our wellbeing teams lead groups that benefit from the space and clarity that our outdoor spaces provide, including our Wild Transitions program which provides nature-based therapy experiences for armed forces service leaders and veterans. Our two Care Farms provide a supervised programme of farming-related activities for children with mental ill-health, autism, social and communication difficulties, disabilities and those in need of emotional support.

The work of Wiltshire Wildlife Trust makes a huge difference, not only to the wildlife we support and sustain in the county, but for people’s mental health and well being.

How can donations make a difference to the amazing work you do?

Donating to Wiltshire Wildlife Trust means that we can continue to reach our goals and carry out our mission. At the start of 2023 we outlined our strategy for the next 7 years, with bold targets, that we cannot reach these goals without the support of our members and supporters. We have such an important role to play in the sustainability of nature across our county. We aim to be leaders, and to inspire individuals, communities, and groups to take up the charge as well, to make a difference. Thanks to our supporters we can continue to protect wildlife and inspire the next generation to do the same and go even further.

Find out more about our strategy here: https://www.wiltshirewildlife.org/about-us

Do you have any upcoming campaigns that people should look out for?

In March, we launched our project to restore Great Wood, a large ancient woodland in the north of the county. Transforming Great Wood into a nature reserve will protect one of the county’s few remaining large ancient woodlands. Great Wood was the last known stronghold of the wood white butterfly, now extinct in Wiltshire. Commercially managed for decades, this ancient woodland is in urgent need of restoration to its former glory to attract wildlife that has been lost from the area and prevent more species from disappearing.

We will restore Great Wood to a fully functioning ancient woodland ecosystem, increasing biodiversity whilst ensuring it is more resilient to the impacts of climate change. We are asking for people to support our project so that we can raise the £120,000 needed to complete the funding for all the work we need to do, to ensure Great Wood is restored and once again represents a flourishing habitat for wildlife for generations to come.

Find out more here: https://www.wiltshirewildlife.org/great-wood-appeal

Do you have any suggestions as to how people can get involved in 30DaysWild?

30 Days Wild is The Wildlife Trusts’ annual challenge where we ask everyone to do one wild thing a day throughout the month of June. This is an accessible way of getting practical and stuck in to supporting and experiencing nature.

The best thing to do is to sign up here: https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/30dayswild

You’ll receive a free pack with lots of fun activity ideas throughout the month to keep you inspired. You can register as an individual, family, school or youth group, care home or workplace. Popular activities include wildlife-watching, eating outdoors, planting wildflower seeds and listening to birdsong. Other favourite pastimes included bug-hunting, fruit-picking, growing plants and flowers, exploring a nature reserve, creating a mini pond or going on a river walk.

So far, we have over 100,000 people taking part across the country.

What impact does working with Evergreen have on your charity?

Working with Evergreen provides Wiltshire Wildlife Trust with more of a platform to reach like minded people that may be interested and inspired by the work that we do. Being of a similar mindset, that nature is worth saving, Wiltshire Wildlife Trust and Evergreen we can strive for similar goals in ensuring our environments are protected and allowed to flourish. Evergreen’s passion for the environment is inspiring, and being one of their charity friends is a pleasure. Evergreen are not based in Wiltshire, so offer an important avenue in reaching those who might not have come across our work, but may be interested to learn more about the great work we do.

How else can people support you?

Becoming a member of Wiltshire Wildlife Trust enables you to keep up to date with everything that is happening across our reserves and other community engagement work. You’ll receive our magazines and directory of events and activities. Knowing that we have thousands of people engaging with the Trust regularly and getting on board with our vision and goals is hugely encouraging – we get amazing support from our members!

A very practical way of getting involved is through volunteering. We have a very active volunteer base, with over 800 signed up to support the work we do across our 40+ reserves. This is a fantastic hands-on approach to supporting the work of the Trust. Without these people we would not be able to ensure we can offer free and often unrestricted access to our sites. Volunteering really is a brilliant way to experience nature, learn more about how we approach sustainability and tackling climate change and practically support the Trust.