Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust CEO Paul Wilkinson cutting the cake at 60th anniversary meeting with Trustees and special guests, including Norman Lewis (4th right), the Trust's first member of staff
60th Anniversary
May 2023 - May 2024
Thank you for a wild 60 years!
Since our formation in May 1963 as the Nottinghamshire Trust for Nature Conservation, the protection of wildlife & wild green spaces has been central to our work. Whilst our earliest work focused on recording what remained of the county’s wildlife and campaigns to safeguard threatened places – caring for wildlife rich habitats is central to our work.
Pictures from over the years
As part of our anniversary, we've collected together some archive photos highlighting some of the key events, figures and places over the Trust's six decades. You can click or tap the photos for a closer look and for more information!
Sir David Attenborough at 1966 opening of Attenborough Nature Reserve © Nottingham Guardian
Former Hon. Vice President Margaret Price (2nd left) with David Bodger & Miss Palmer (right) at Spalford Warren © John Walker
Norman Lewis (left) with Margaret Price (5th from left) & John Walker (right) - Photo © Advertiser Group
Former Trust Chairman John McMeeking (left) with Trust luminaries including current Chair Nick Parsons (front centre) at Idle Valley Nature Reserve
Sir David Attenborough at Attenborough Nature Reserve in 1988 © Evening Post
Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust CEO Paul Wilkinson cutting the cake at 60th anniversary meeting with Trustees and special guests, including Norman Lewis (4th right), the Trust's first member of staff
As part of The Wildlife Trusts, Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust has long campaigned for better wildlife protection. Here reps from Wildlife Trusts from across the UK and other NGOs present thousands of pledge cards demanding members demanding new laws to protect wildlife.
In the year 2000 TV naturalist, and inspiration to a generation, Professor David Bellamy visited King's Meadow Nature Reserve with children from a local school in the Meadows
As part of a whistle-stop tour of the county to mark the Trusts 25th Anniversary in 1988, Sir David Attenborough visited our Duke’s Wood Nature Reserve at Eakring
Early Trust stalwarts including our first employee Norman Lewis (left), former Chair John walker and South Notts Local members Group lynchpin Margaret Price shared a passion for Treswell Wood
Timeline
Key dates in our work to create a wilder Nottinghamshire for all
1960s
|
Memorandum of Articles signed by original Council |
|
Inaugural Meeting of the Trust |
|
Attenborough Nature Reserve opened by David Attenborough |
| Retford Group formed |
1970s
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1st reserve – Treswell Wood, purchased following public appeal |
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Spalford Warren leases signed |
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Survey Committee completed 10 years of survey work of the natural history of the County. |
|
Norman Lewis appointed as the Trust’s first Conservation Officer |
|
900 members reported |
|
Trust successfully fights to save Wilwell Farm Cutting from plans for landfill at Public Enquiry |
1980s
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Mansfield, City, Gedling Local Groups formed |
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Dyscarr Wood, Bunny Old Wood, Eaton Wood, Eakring Meadows, Idle Washlands, West Burton Meadow, Chainbridge Lane (Idle Valley), Teversal Pasture, Kirton Wood, Ashton’s Meadow, Farndon Willow Holt, Rainworth Heath and Wilwell Farm Cutting become Trust Reserves. |
|
Membership reported as 1931 |
|
Appeal raises target of £200,000 |
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Nottingham Urban Wildlife Scheme launched |
|
David Attenborough visit supporting the Trust’s Silver Jubilee celebrations |
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New Name – Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust agreed at an Extraordinary General Meeting |
1990s
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Trust fights to save habitats threatened by Shilo North Opencast proposal |
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East Midlands Environmental Consultants (EMEC) created as a subsidiary of the Trust |
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Lambley Dumbles Restoration Project starts |
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New Logo – Wildlife Trusts adopt a new “Badger” logo |
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Peter Stone appointed as Trust’s first Director |
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Mansey Common & Penney Pastures, Aldercar Flash, Ploughman Wood, Beacon Hill, Misson Carr and Besthorpe become reserves |
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Old Ragged School officially opened by Bill Oddie |
2000s
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Green Guardians Environmental Awards launched |
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Trust launches ‘Don’t Let Them Concrete the Countryside’ campaign |
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Retford Office reported to be open |
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‘Blue Butterfly’ Grasslands for Wildlife and Farmland Birds’ ‘Bed & Breakfast’ schemes launched |
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Attenborough Nature Centre officially opened by Sir David Attenborough |
|
Membership reaches 9,500 |
Graham Shaw
Matthew Roberts
Support Nottinghamshire's wildlife
Helping us make a difference
Thanks to our wonderful supporters we’ve been able to stand up for wildlife and to create amazing nature reserves over the past 60 years but we’re not resting on our laurels – with your support we can do even more to create a wilder Nottinghamshire. Here are some ways you can make a real difference.
Volunteering
Volunteers have always been a cornerstone of our work over the years. We're always looking for people to help us make a difference for nature across the county.
Youth and Community Volunteer Leader (City Young Rangers)
We need a dedicated volunteer to help lead our Young Rangers City Group (for 13 – 18 year olds), with support from Laura Bacon (People…
Wilder Welcome Volunteer – Community Talks
We're looking for passionate volunteers to help share their enthusiasm for nature through our Community Talks.
Wildlife Watch Leader
Do you have a passion for wildlife? Do you have the ability to share that enthusiasm with the next generation in a fun and explorative…
Take action for nature
Graphics provided by Derbyshire Wildlife Trust
Take action for a Wilder Nottinghamshire
You can make a HUGE difference in keeping our towns and city green and helping wildlife to flourish. People all over Nottinghamshire and beyond are already taking action, so why not join them?
Our nature reserves
Our nature reserves are the core of what we do. Not only to directly help wildlife, but to provide people a vital link to the natural world.
