 Wiltshire Wildlife Trust is a charity whose vision is a county richer in wildlife | Contacting Us | Viewing the site | Credits | All text and illustrations within this website are copyright ©1999 Wiltshire Wildlife Trust All photography by Steve Day. Copyright ©1999 Steve Day for Wiltshire Wildlife Trust Wiltshire Wildlife Trust is a charity. Established in 1962, we rely on membership subscriptions, donations and legacies to fund the majority of our work. We also receive sponsorship from businesses, and grants from local authorities and government organisations.  It is the largest organisation of its kind in Wiltshire. We have
around 10,000 members, more than 60 corporate supporters, hundreds of volunteers, and we
manage about 2,000 acres of land on over 40 nature reserves in the county. Twenty four of
our reserves are Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), which means they are of
national importance for their wildlife, and some are of international importance.We spent over £1 million in 1997 on caring for the Wiltshire countryside and encouraging others to do the same. Over 75% of this went to fund work that directly benefits the countryside, such as land purchase and management of our nature reserves. The Trust works with landowners and managers to help them to manage their land in sympathy with the needs of wildlife. In 1997 we assisted 20 more farmers to apply for Countryside Stewardship grants. Hundreds of acres across the county benefitted from these grants as a result. Over 1,000 volunteers give their time and services free to help us work for nature conservation. |
| We raised £2.4million through the Heritage
Lottery Fund, public appeals and corporate donations to buy and protect land of special
wildlife value under threat of destruction or in need of improved management. The Trust's Local Supporter Groups raise funds, organise events and increase the profile of the Trust at local level. We make it possible for thousands of young people to learn about wildlife and the environment though our education staff in schools and our network of Wildlife Watch groups. In 1997 almost 2,000 people took part in the Sarsen Trail, a 26-mile sponsored walk and marathon that raised over £25,000 for the Trust that year. Wiltshire Wildlife Trust is a member of the Wildlife Trusts, a partnership of 47 county wildlife trusts that work together for the benefit of wildlife nationally. This means our influence is felt beyond the county boundary.  How we achieve our aims Through our nature reserves. The 44 nature reserves in our care are managed for the benefit of wildlife, and provide safe havens in a disappearing countryside. They include many examples of habitats that are under threat in Wiltshire - chalk downland, hay meadows, ancient woodland, and wetlands. They are nearly all open for everyone to visit, to enjoy, and to learn how important these places are for Wiltshire's wildlife and people. Through education. We must capture the hearts and minds of people, because the future of our wildlife depends on people valuing and supporting conservation in our towns and cities. We have wildlife officers in both Salisbury and Swindon. We have four education staff who work with thousands of children and adults each year, and we produce leaflets and information boards for many of our reserves explaining their value. The Trust also runs 20 Wildlife Watch groups throughout the county for its junior members. Through changing attitudes. The Trust works towards influencing decision makers wherever possible. For example, we are pressing the government to extend grants for environmentally friendly farming in Wiltshire. We are also active in highlighting the crisis of low flows in our rivers. We work with farmers and landowners, businesses and other organisations. We are regularly consulted by local authorities in the county and encourage them to consider the needs of wildlife in local and regional plans. Through our members. Our members are the backbone of the Trust, funding its activities, providing the volunteers that are vital to its operation, and acting as ambassadors, spreading the conservation message to others. Without their commitment the Trust would not be able to function, and Wiltshire wildlife would be under even greater threat than it is now.
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