2022-23 Highlights
Welcome! This review is an opportunity to say thanks to all of you – our members, supporters, funders, volunteers, staff and trustees – who support the work of Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust. It’s because of you we have been able to achieve the successes for wildlife, green spaces and people of Sheffield and Rotherham we highlight here.
Liz Ballard, Chief Executive
Nature in recovery
Extensive work around Redmires Reservoirs has helped support water vole habitat, including development of a Water Vole Species Recovery Plan and conservation for goshawk, osprey, and barn owl.
Monitoring shows 75% of our biodiversity objectives achieved.
100+ nature based solution interventions installed through the Limb and Upper Loxley catchments include 60 leaky dams and 20 ponds, supporting many species while ‘slowing the flow’.
The large river restoration project on the Rother with the Environment Agency continues.
Wildscapes (our Community Interest Company) trained up an Accredited Environmental Adviser.
Ughill Farm
We are delighted to have reached our fundraising target of £1.2million to secure the purchase of Ughill Farm! Taking full ownership of the site means we can begin to test and learn nature-friendly farming practices, and brings us a step closer to our aim of ensuring that 30% of land and water is great for nature by 2030. This is where the real challenge starts – there is lots of work to do!
More people taking action for nature
The Nature Recovery Community Toolkit launches – a fantastic resource for everyone.
150 people enhance their local green space in Rotherham through Natural Neighbours.
90 people given advice and support about wildlife issues.
Take Action for Nature film night sold out!
This showcased a number of short films highlighting the steps local people and groups have taken to contribute to nature’s recovery.
Micro-volunteering promotion engaged over 200 people.
With support from EON, we helped 8 schools develop simple plans for nature friendly improvements.
We worked with Rotherham College and the NHS improving their estates for biodiversity.
An opportunity to buy Dutch-elm disease resistant elms to support the white-letter hairstreak butterfly sees all 50 saplings distributed.
We coordinated a Swift Summit attended by 125 people and promote a national petition for swift bricks
6 out of 7 Working for Nature trainees gained a level 2 diploma in Work-based Environmental Conservation, with most going on to work in the environmental sector.
“I am extremely grateful for the opportunity I have been given and I am now looking forward to my future within conservation.”
Trainee
Everyone can experience and benefit from nature
We commented on the Sheffield Local plan, championed the importance of accessible green space in urban areas, and responded to 12 instances of potential loss of greenspace raised by the public.
We engaged 6,265 people in a wide range of nature based activities. 2,197 children experienced outdoor learning activities, 2,062 enjoyed family Wild Play activities and community events. We supported 271 adults through Wild at Heart. Our Green Social Prescribing team supported, trained and engaged over 40 providers and 348 social prescribing link workers and healthcare professionals.
“Wild at Heart is not just the highlight of my week but the highlight of my life. On the darkest of days it brings light.”
Participant
“Year 1 loved the school trip today and I can’t thank your team enough for the time, effort and enthusiasm.”
Teacher
“I really enjoyed the session I went to. Great way to get a taste of what green social prescribing is so we can explain to our clients more easily.”
Link Worker
Volunteers
34 volunteer rangers delivered 328 hours across 4 flagship nature reserves. Their cheerful engagement with visitors increased positive behaviour like putting dogs on leads by 17%.
56 people have taken part in ecological monitoring.
Over 380 volunteers provided 17,723 volunteer hours!
Help us to continue our work for nature, wildlife and the green spaces we all love!
Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust Strategy
This year we transitioned into our refreshed Strategy 2030, which sees us embrace three ambitious – but achievable – goals:
- 30% land and water is great for nature by 2030 with an abundance of wildlife everywhere.
- 1 in 4 people taking action for nature.
- 5 minutes to nature for everyone.
Achieving these targets would mean even more people care for, experience and benefit from nature, and our natural world will be recovering, helping to solve the climate crisis.
With your help we know amazing things happen. Thank you so much for your continued support!
Liz Ballard, Chief Executive
Become a Member
The work we do is only possible thanks to the incredible generosity of our supporters. Become a member today to help us continue our efforts to protect and enhance nature and wildlife across Sheffield and Rotherham!
There’s a membership for everyone! All memberships include a subscription to Kingfisher magazine!
Individual Membership
Treat yourself – a membership just for you
⚪ Directly supports the vital work of the Trust for local nature, wildlife and conservation
⚪ Includes a subscription to Kingfisher magazine
From only £2.50 per month
or £30 per year
Joint Membership
Membership for two people at the same address
⚪ Directly supports the vital work of the Trust for local nature, wildlife and conservation
⚪ Includes a subscription to Kingfisher magazine
From only £3 per month
or £36 per year
Family Membership – inc. Wildlife Watch Magazine!
Membership for two adults and up to four children
⚪ Directly supports the vital work of the Trust for local nature, wildlife and conservation
⚪ Includes a subscription to Kingfisher magazine
⚪ Includes a subscription to Wildlife Watch children’s magazine
From only £3.50 per month
or £42 per year
Or you can Gift a Membership too!
Your membership comes with HUGE rewards:
- You will love where you live
Be proud of where you live and keep it local. We have 15 nature reserves across Sheffield and Rotherham for you to explore and discover the local wildlife you love. We rely heavily on membership to be able to manage, protect and develop our nature reserves. - You can make your mark on Sheffield and Rotherham
With loads of volunteering opportunities from land management to wildlife data input there are so many ways for you to make your mark and have a positive impact on wildlife. - You will learn a lot
With features from our resident expert ecologists, botanists, conservationists and entomologists in our Kingfisher membership magazine you will learn a lot. - You will feel good
You are helping to protect and maintain the beautiful yet vulnerable species and habitats in our area. And for this you should feel good. Thank you for your support. - You will pass on your love for nature to the next generation
With a family membership you are sharing your passion with the children in your family so they reap the lifelong benefits of a wild childhood and learn to look after their natural world. They will also receive Wildlife Watch a seasonal interactive magazine for children.
- You will have lots of fun
With events from Wild Play to guided walks and wildlife gardening to film screenings, we have something for everyone to enjoy. - You are giving wildlife a voice
As a collective our membership is very powerful as it means we are consulted as a representative body regarding important wildlife matters. This gives wildlife a voice at the top tables locally and nationally. - You have a place where you belong
We are a community of likeminded wildlife enthusiasts, you can meet new people and share your passions. Find our social media contact details here to be part of our online community too. - You can have a say
As a membership led organisation our members are at the core of everything we do. You can have a say in how the charity is run, vote at our AGM or become a trustee yourself. - You will be appreciated
We cannot say thank you enough for joining us. We are so happy to have you and together we can work to create a network for nature and help the wildlife, you love, thrive.