insideSUSSEX Magazine Issue 09 - November 2015 | Page 93
CHARITY
Sussex Charity Profiles
Sussex is a very giving county, evidenced by the fact that there are so many Sussex-based
charities. Each one offers something different, whether it’s for the countryside, for the wildlife,
or for those who live and work in the area. We spoke to a number of Sussex charities and asked
them to tell us about what they do, and let us know how people can help.
The Sussex Wildlife Trust
www.sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk
Who do you help?
Sussex Wildlife Trust is a conservation
charity for everyone who cares about nature
in Sussex. It believes that nature is too
important to lose and focuses on protecting
the wonderfully rich natural life that is found
throughout our towns, countryside, on our
coastline and under the seas off Sussex.
Sussex Wildlife Trust works alongside local
people to create opportunities for them to
connect with nature, and for nature to thrive
in even the most unlikely places. By working
with our members and supporters, including
local businesses, its aim is to ensure future
generations living in Sussex will be able to
enjoy the sense of wonder and wellbeing that
nature offers.
What services do you provide?
We care for more than 30 nature reserves
in Sussex, and protect rare species such
as the water vole, nightingale and Adonis
blue butterfly. We inspire thousands of
schoolchildren to experience and appreciate
nature, and we work with preschool children
through our very successful Nature Tots
programme. We also work to protect places
where wildlife is threatened by development,
run community projects that give more
people the chance to connect with nature,
and support local landowners and farmers in
managing their land to benefit wildlife.
• O
ver five million local wildlife records are held
by the Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre
which is housed at the Sussex Wildlife Trust
headquarters in Henfield, West Sussex.
We take action to protect the wildlife and
the natural environment across Sussex. We
create opportunities for people of all ages to
learn about nature and connect with it. We
inspire people through our events, publications
and courses to care for nature. We conduct
research that supports the conservation of
nature in Sussex, and we engage with policy
makers and other organisations to encourage
positive change.
How do you receive your funding?
Our success depends upon the generosity
of our supporters, and the more members
we have, the more we can do to protect the
Sussex coast and countryside.
Our numbers include:
• Over 30,000 people are members of the
Sussex Wildlife Trust
• Over 4,800 children are members of Wildlife
Watch, our junior branch
• Over 500 dedicated volunteers work 6,500
days a year for the Trust
• Over 5,000 acres of land are managed for
nature
• Over 10,000 children visit our environmental
education centres every year — we're
inspiring the next generation
• Over 5,000 people get closer to nature by
attending our wildlife events and courses
each year
93
Do you have any upcoming events?
Please visit www.sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/
whatson – this will give details of all our events.
How can people help?
You can support all aspects of our work
by becoming a member of the Sussex
Wildlife Trust. Just visit our website: www.
sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/make-a-difference/
join
Or maybe you would like to offer practical help
by volunteering on one of our nature reserves
or as part of our education volunteer team.