Wiltshire Wildlife Trust

Who we are

Wiltshire Wildlife Trust was set up in 1962 to campaign and take action to protect the natural environment. Since then the Trust has grown to become one of the UK’s leading environmental charities, working to create a sustainable future for wildlife and people. Our Vision is “a sustainable future for wildlife and people”. It is based on a Wiltshire of living landscapes full of wildlife and enjoyed and valued by everyone, where people live in sustainable and resilient communities with a high quality of life achieved with minimum environmental impact. As a membership organisation, the Trust is committed to working with our supporters and volunteers and a full range of different partners. Our Mission is “to help wildlife adapt to climate change; value, protect and enhance ecosystem functions; inspire people to enjoy, understand and take action to protect the natural world; help people to live more sustainably and enhance their health and wellbeing through greater contact with nature”.

Our culture and values

Wiltshire Wildlife Trust is part of the UK Wildlife Trusts movement and was founded in 1962, driven by a concern to protect local wildlife and natural habitats. 

Our first nature reserve was Blackmoor Copse, a Site of Special Scientific Interest and one of the most important woods in Wiltshire for butterflies.

Today, we manage over 40 nature reserves across Wiltshire and Swindon, including wetland, woodland, meadow and chalk downland habitats. 

Our Vision

A sustainable future for wildlife and people.

Our Purpose

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.

We are passionate about getting people outdoors to experience nature and take action to ensure its protection. This involves:

Delivering nature's recovery

We will do this by:

• Doubling the area of land, rivers and wetlands managed for nature in Wiltshire and Swindon to 30%.
• Restoring species abundance and diversity across Wiltshire and Swindon.
• Restoring natural processes on our land and rivers.

People taking action

We will do this by:

• Encouraging 1 in 4 people to take significant and transformative action to reduce Wiltshire's ecological and carbon footprints.
• Promoting the improved health and wellbeing of people through their engagement with nature.
• Providing opportunities for all children and young people in Wiltshire to experience the joy of nature and kindle a lasting interest in nature.

Valuing nature

To achieve this we will:

• Champion wildlife and the natural environment to get nature and climate at the heart of decision making.
• Create and promote nature-based solutions to address the climate and nature emergencies.
• Promote and support healthy, productive and resilient ecosystem services across Wiltshire and Swindon.