© Jon Hawkins Surrey Hills Photography
About us
About us
Somerset Wildlife Trust is one of 46 Wildlife Trusts working across the UK. We are a science-led movement focused on restoring habitats to support a wide range of wildlife and restore natural processes that are essential for healthy landscapes, and provide vital services such as clean air and water, food, carbon absorption and flood alleviation.
Somerset Levels from Polden Way near Glastonbury, Somerset, February 2011 - Paul Harris/2020VISION
Our vision for a Wilder Somerset 2030
With the invaluable support of volunteers and members we manage over 1700 hectares of land for wildlife and people in Somerset. We also work with other organisations and landowners to protect and connect wildlife sites across the county and inspire local communities and young people to care for wildlife where they live.
Our history
Somerset Wildlife Trust (formally known as The Somerset Trust for Nature Conservation) was formed in 1964 by a group of individuals who recognised the desperate need to take action to secure the future of wildlife in our wonderful and diverse County.
From an original 15 members who joined, paying £1 each at the inaugural meeting, the Trust has grown to be Somerset’s leading environmental charity with over 23,000 members. This has been achieved through the hard work and dedication of the Trust’s members and volunteers.
Volunteers are the lifeblood of the Trust and they have helped transform the organisation into being a vital and influential charity which now owns and manages 1700 acres of nature reserves. Hundreds of volunteers also now work to support the Trust's goals for Somerset.
How we're run
Meet some of the amazing staff of Somerset Wildlife Trust below.
A group of elected Trustees oversee the governance and strategic leadership of the organisation. Our Trustees are members of the Trust and giver their experience and expertise for free.
How we're funded
The majority of our work is made possible through the support of our members and people who live and work in the county who choose to make donations, fundraise for us or leave generous legacies. Membership funds however remain the bedrock that allow us to carry out our work and to also plan, prepare and respond to the unexpected; critical to saving wildlife. A monthly donation of just £5.00 a month can make a huge difference in helping us protect wildlife in Somerset.
The current economic climate and Brexit will undoubtedly see a significant reduction in the amount of conservation funding available to us in the future, which, over and above membership, makes appeals and community fundraising even more vital for us. If you are passionate about Somerset’s wildlife and wild places, please support us if you can.