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30 October 2006
The Wildlife Trust celebrates its 50th birthday!
The original founders, staff and supporters celebrates 50 years of working for wildlife and communities close to home.
It took the second world war, and the planning for its aftermath, to reawaken concern for nature conservation. Fifty years
ago, the Trust came into existence in Cambridgeshire, sparking a
movement of local conservation Trusts being set up nationwide. The late
Max Walters, one of the pioneering founders, said, "It was an exciting
time, without parallel in the history of the voluntary conservation
movement in this country".
The Trust's local focus on wildlife has continued to this day. The
charity, one of 47 Wildlife Trusts nationwide, now manages an
impressive 120 nature reserves across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire,
Northamptonshire and Peterborough, covering over
2,300
hectares. The Trust
has also retained its commitment to people, educating thousands of
local children about the natural environment each year and working
with communities of all ages and backgrounds in every aspect of their
work.
Nick Hammond, director at the Wildlife Trust said, "I am immensely proud of the achievements of our founders and all our supporters over the last half century, whose efforts have led to the transformation and enrichment of our local landscapes. We are also incredibly grateful to all of our members and supporters, with whom we can look forward to yet another 50 years of protecting, enhancing and enjoying the fantastic wildlife that our area has to offer."
Over 100 guests contemplated the Trust's major achievements over the last half a century with director, Nick Hammond, which includes gaining acres of new land to protect some of the county's rarest habitats and species, such as the otter, dormouse and barn owl. Conservation director, Brian Eversham, spoke of the Trust's vision for the next 50 years and beyond, including the Trust's response to helping wildlife cope with climate change. Founders and members enjoyed homemade cakes and shared memorabilia, including photographs and newsletters from the early days of the Trust.
The Wildlife Trust is indebted to its members and supporters, who have helped the Trust in so many ways, through means such as volunteering, donations and legacies, enabling the Trust to grow from strength to strength. If you would like to find out more about how you can help the work of the Trust, please call Donna Fancourt on 01954 713555 or email donna.fancourt [at] wildlifebcnp.org.