Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust is today (Tuesday March 18th) marking 20 years since Sir David Attenborough opened the iconic Attenborough Nature Centre – regaling the crowd with a story of how he first discovered his family roots in the village of Attenborough.  

Whilst Sir David’s Leicester roots are well publicised, his family history in the Notts village of Attenborough, from where both the iconic naturalist and campaigner and Attenborough Nature Reserve take their names is less well known. 

Whilst officially opening the Nature Centre on March 18th 2005, Sir David – President Emeritus of The Wildlife Trusts – told how, as a young boy on an unsupervised trip to Nottingham by train, he stood to attention as the train guard shouted “Attenborough” – assuming his name was being called. The realisation that the call was for Attenborough Station led to Sir David investigating his roots in Attenborough and Long Eaton.  

Sir David’s visit to open the Nature Centre was his second official visit - having previously opened Attenborough Nature Reserve back in 1966. 

His connection with the cherished reserve and Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust which created the reserve continued with special recordings for an audio trial where he described the site as a ‘lifeline to the natural world’ and support for the charity’s efforts to safeguard the long-term future of the site – which it purchased in 2020 – after six decades of stewardship.  

The opening of the Nature Centre in 2005 marked a milestone in the reserve’s history – with the realisation of a near 20-year campaign to deliver a centre which would help bring people closer to nature.    

Over the past 18 months the charity has also conducted its largest ever listening exercise to ensure it understands people’s needs and expectations as it plans for future investment.  

Speaking about the anniversary, Chief Executive Paul Wilkinson said:  

Having spent almost two decades working to create Attenborough Nature Centre we’re delighted to mark its 20th Anniversary. Attenborough Nature Reserve is a special place for wildlife and people and the Nature Centre has enabled huge numbers of people to connect with nature since it opened. Our vision for the reserve builds on the site’s value to nature and the special place it has in the hearts of so many. As well as having more diverse and abundant wildlife, we’re determined that Attenborough continues to be a place where generations connect with nature and where nature supports people’s wellbeing.”  

The charity’s vision for the site sets out ambitions for the reserve to not only connect people with nature, but for it to be a springboard for research to tackle environmental issues and for local action for the environment.  

Paul explained: 

“For decades, countless people have invested their time and energy to make Attenborough Nature Reserve the unique and special place it is today but going forward, we also want Attenborough to be the place that inspires people to do more for nature – not just here, but in their communities.” 

Over the next 12 months, the Trust will host a number of events and activities to help celebrate the Centre’s anniversary as the charity gears up for the 60th anniversary of Attenborough Nature Reserve next year. The Nature Centre will host a three-day Wild Easter Weekend from Saturday 19th April to Monday 21st April.