Pastures New

When I ask Liz to pick a favourite Sheffield and Rotherham Wildlife Trust reserve, the response is instant – Ughill Farm. But then, a pause.

“Well, actually, all of them,” comes the reconsideration, followed by a roll call of nature’s finest: Blacka Moor, Wyming Brook, Greno Woods, Moss Valley Woodlands, Woodhouse Washlands, Carbrook Ravine… It’s an impossible choice. Ughill Farm, though, holds a personal significance.

“I’ve been there from the start of it becoming a Wildlife Trust site,” comes the explanation. “It’s got a bit of everything – different habitats all in one place.” “The first thing I saw when I arrived yesterday was a curlew,” comes the excited recollection. “They have this strange, mournful call, but they also signal spring and hope. “They’re such intriguing birds; why the long, curved beak? What niche does it fill?” She points out “they’re quite a decent size, so you can share that with people who aren’t birders. You can say, ‘that is the curlew’ and they get it.” This fascination with nature isn’t just about admiration – it’s about curiosity, about understanding the stories behind the wildlife and sharing the enthusiasm with others. 

Her deep appreciation for wildlife extends far beyond the UK. The rugged beauty of the Himalayas, the lush landscapes of Kerala – these places have left lasting impressions. Next on the travel list? Angkor Wat in Cambodia, followed, hopefully, by Costa Rica’s rainforest, one of the most biodiverse places on Earth. But whether it’s spotting a curlew in a local nature reserve or a far-flung rainforest, the thrill of discovery is always the same.

A passion for conservation often begins long before it becomes a career, and that was certainly the case for Liz. Growing up in the Chilterns, surrounded by beech woodlands and rolling hills, the love for the outdoors was always there – she explains how long hikes through the Lake District, the Peak District, and Snowdonia (Eryri National Park) only deepened that connection. A degree in geology might not seem like the most direct path into conservation, but it provided an unexpected foundation. “You spend a lot of time outside, doing fieldwork, mapping landscapes – learning how rocks shape ecosystems.” Take Sheffield’s Lakeland, for example – its geology dictates its plant life so clearly that some areas are designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) purely because of that correlation.

The interplay between landscape and biodiversity is key to protecting habitats, and over the years of Liz’s tenure, the scale of the Trust’s impact has grown immensely. “We own and manage more land, we work closely with farmers and landowners, we campaign more, and we have more data to support our work.” Where once the Trust focused mainly on its own sites, it now plays an active role in influencing land use beyond its borders, working with private landowners and shaping policies that support nature-friendly farming and rewilding efforts. Initiatives like the Green Social Prescribing Programme and expanded community engagement have broadened the Trust’s reach beyond conservation into wellbeing and advocacy.

Through it all, one thing remains clear – conservation is a team effort. “You need a team to go and do the things that they’re good at. And you support them to do it, rather than doing it for them.” Having the right people in place ensures that the Trust can continue its vital work – whether that’s restoring habitats, influencing policy, or helping communities reconnect with nature. While the challenges facing wildlife and wild spaces are greater than ever, so too is the ability to make a difference. 

I asked Liz about her experience of a situation which made national headlines. Thanks to her relentless work fostering collaboration in a situation where tensions ran high, the Sheffield Street Tree Partnership brought together campaigners, the council, and highways representatives to find common ground on an issue that had deeply divided the city.

“It was challenging at times,” she admits, acknowledging that some wanted the Trust to take a more vocal stance. “But the real goal was to ensure a long-term, positive outcome for both people and wildlife.” Carefully navigating a neutral path, and facilitating crucial conversations, eventually led to the city’s first Street Tree Strategy. Now, with the strategy in place it stands as a model for how difficult environmental conflicts can be resolved through dialogue and persistence.

Beyond street trees, Liz is proud of other key projects which have helped shape Sheffield’s conservation landscape. The Sheffield State of Nature report, the first of its kind, brought together multiple partners and laid the foundation for much of the Trust’s work on data and evidence. “Its impact was significant – so much so that others have since followed suit “ she elaborates. Campaigning for Smithy Wood was another major success, ensuring that a vital ancient woodland was preserved against development threats. There has also been important advocacy work around birds of prey, raising awareness of illegal persecution and unsustainable moorland management practices. The acquisition of Ughill Farm, a major conservation site, was another milestone, made possible through persistence and strategic partnerships. Each of these achievements has not only protected landscapes but also strengthened the Trust’s ability to influence wider conservation efforts.

A key theme in much of this work is ensuring initiatives become self-sustaining. The Sheffield Lakeland Partnership continues the work towards a shared vision for the Sheffield Lakeland landscape. The South Yorkshire Woodland Partnership grew from the longstanding Local Nature Partnership and has gained widespread support. The aim is always to create long-term frameworks that can continue independently.

“So much of what we do is about getting things to a place where they can stand on their own” Liz explains.

By building strong foundations, securing partnerships, and ensuring the right voices are heard, the impact of these efforts extends far beyond any single individual, shaping a future where they continue to thrive.

Another significant achievement has been Liz’s role in establishing Nature North, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at uniting conservation efforts across the region. What began as an idea shared among a small group of northern conservation leaders, took shape in a marquee at Castle Howard, laying the foundation for something much bigger. Just last week, Nature North launched a Strategy for the North, promoted at the highest levels through the Convention of the North, which brought together regional combined authorities and influential decision-makers. This kind of strategic collaboration represents a shift towards a more connected, impactful approach to conservation – one that extends beyond individual projects and influences policy on a much broader scale.

That ability to connect people, ideas, and organisations has been a defining strength. Despite being one of the smaller Wildlife Trusts in the country – geographically tiny compared to many of its peers – Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust has consistently managed to amplify its voice. “It was quite interesting,” Liz noted, reflecting “we were the only Wildlife Trust in the room for those early Nature North discussions.” By taking a seat at the table alongside larger organisations, they ensured that the perspectives of smaller conservation groups were represented, reinforcing the idea that influence isn’t just about size – it’s about strategy, persistence, and the ability to bring communities and nature together.

That philosophy – punching above its weight – has become a hallmark of the Trust’s work. Whether in advocacy, campaigning, or conservation, the feedback from peers has been consistent: the Trust makes an impact far beyond what might be expected for its size.

By fostering collaborations, shaping key regional conversations, and ensuring nature remains high on the agenda, Liz’s leadership has set an example of how even a smaller organisation can wield significant influence in conservation.

Liz has a simple message for members and volunteers of Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust;

“Thank you. Your support has been incredible – not just for me personally, but for everything the Trust does. The work we do wouldn’t be possible without you. Every campaign, every conservation effort, every success we’ve had is down to your passion and commitment to nature and wildlife. Meeting so many of you over the years has been truly inspiring, and hearing your stories – about the places you love, the sites you visit, and the ways you get involved – has been a constant reminder of why this work matters.

If I were to leave a note for my successor, it might read something like this: ‘Remember to get out more than you stay in the office. Don’t let the admin and budgets swallow you whole. Make time to get out on-site, meet with members, talk to volunteers – those connections are the heart of what we do. It’s so easy to get lost in the behind-the-scenes work, but it’s important to remember why you’re doing it and to enjoy the moments that make it all worthwhile.’”

The decision to move on was not taken lightly. “I’ve thought a lot about this transition, especially post-COVID. The pandemic was a tough time for everyone, but we found ways to keep going, adapt, and even grow. Now, the Trust is in a solid position with exciting plans and a new board Chair coming in later in the year. The foundations are set, but there’s still plenty of room for new leadership to shape things further. I feel optimistic that this is a really positive time for the Trust, and I’m confident the next chapter will be just as successful.”

Liz Ballard was interviewed by Fury Mets-Mallin.