60th Anniversary

Cutting the cake at NWT 60th Anniversary celebration

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!

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

1st reserve – Treswell Wood, purchased following public appeal

Spalford Warren leases signed

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

Mansfield, City, Gedling Local Groups formed

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

Nottingham Urban Wildlife Scheme launched

David Attenborough visit supporting the Trust’s Silver Jubilee celebrations

New Name – Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust agreed at an Extraordinary General Meeting

1990s

Trust fights to save habitats threatened by Shilo North Opencast proposal

East Midlands Environmental Consultants (EMEC) created as a subsidiary of the Trust

Lambley Dumbles Restoration Project starts

New Logo – Wildlife Trusts adopt a new “Badger” logo

Peter Stone appointed as Trust’s first Director

Mansey Common & Penney Pastures, Aldercar Flash, Ploughman Wood, Beacon Hill, Misson Carr  and Besthorpe become reserves

Old Ragged School officially opened by Bill Oddie

2000s

Green Guardians Environmental Awards  launched

Trust launches ‘Don’t Let Them Concrete the Countryside’ campaign

Retford Office reported to be open

‘Blue Butterfly’ Grasslands for Wildlife and Farmland Birds’ ‘Bed & Breakfast’ schemes launched  

Attenborough Nature Centre officially opened by Sir David Attenborough

Membership reaches 9,500

Attenborough Nature Centre6 NottsWT cpt Graham Shaw

Graham Shaw

Our history

Read about our story, from our formation to the present day

Read more
Woman walking in a woodland

Matthew Roberts

Our ten-year vision

Achieving a people-powered nature recovery

Read more

Support Nottinghamshire's wildlife

Your generosity will help us to protect local wildlife and restore special wild places
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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.

Take action for nature

An illustration of people outside their homes surrounded by greenspace, green roofs and hedgerows

Graphics provided by Derbyshire Wildlife Trust

MAP YOUR ACTION

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?

Do something great for wildlife

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.