Derbyshire Wildlife Trust is one of 46 local Wildlife Trusts around the UK working to promote and protect local wildlife. It covers the whole of Derbyshire and was founded in 1962 in response to environmental threats to the local countryside, since when it has continued to grow. The trust is now based at East Mill on the River Derwent in the town of Belper, Derbyshire. It is a registered charity (number 222212), supported by more than 14,000 members and over 500 volunteers.

The trust manages over 50 nature reserves, covering various habitat types. Sixteen of these are Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). Derbyshire Wildlife Trust provides community training, activities, and environmental education. It also provides ecological surveys, advice and data to landowners and organisations. Environmental education and workshops are provided at the Whistlestop Centre in Matlock Bath, and the Wildlife Discovery Room at Carsington Water.

History

The trust originated in 1962 as Derbyshire Naturalists' Trust.

In the early 1960s a group of concerned people gathered together to oppose plans to tip fly ash at Ticknall Limeyards in South Derbyshire. Backed by national pressure, they were successful and decided to form a local charitable organisation to handle such issues. Derbyshire Naturalists' Trust was officially launched.

Since 2006, the trust has launched and developed a variety of projects aimed at protecting and raising awareness of vulnerable species and habitats. These include Derby Cathedral's Peregrines Project, Great Trees of Derbyshire and Saving the Great Trees of Derbyshire - projects which have raised awareness of the importance of ancient trees - and Water for Wildlife, which has helped to restore wetland habitats.

In 2007, the Avenue Washlands Nature Reserve near Chesterfield was opened and won first place in the Conservation category for Restoration Sites in the British Trust for Ornithology's Business Bird Challenge. In the same year, a lottery grant allowed the trust to extend its educational programme with Grounds for a Change, transforming Derbyshire school grounds into wildlife havens and outdoor learning spaces. It also took over management of Drakelow Nature Reserve in the south of the county, an important wetland site playing host to over 200 species of birds.

In early 2024, Derbyshire Wildlife Trust purchased 83-acre site Common Farm in Nether Heage to be managed as a nature reserve, following a successful fundraising campaign.

Organisation

Derbyshire Wildlife Trust is governed by a board of trustees, elected from and by the 14,000+ members, employing around 26 members of experienced staff for management and to carry out conservation and education projects. The trust relies heavily on volunteer work for help with aspects such as managing nature reserves, administration, and education work, with around 500 active volunteers. Subsequent years have been successful, and the project began to include webcams, blogging, and viewing events set up for members of the public to be able to view the birds through telescopes.

Badger Vaccination Scheme

Derbyshire Wildlife Trust runs the largest badger vaccination project in the country, vaccinating over 1,700 badgers since 2014.

Bringing Back Beavers

The trust successfully reintroduced a pair of Eurasian beavers to Willington Wetlands in 2021. The pair subsequently bred in 2022; this was the first wild breeding pair in Derbyshire for around 800 years.

References

  • The Derbyshire Wildlife Trust web page