Photo: Jamie Hall
Become a Patron
Be at the heart of our work
For over 60 years, Somerset Wildlife Trust has been working to ensure Somerset is a wildlife-rich and habitat-diverse county. Through its own nature reserves, and working with landowners and local communities, the county’s wild landscapes and fragile habitats are being restored and maintained for the benefit of wildlife and people. With biodiversity declining in all but a few protected sites plus the effects of climate change, our work is even more relevant today that it was when the Trust was founded, hence the introduction of our Patron scheme.
We had supported Somerset Wildlife Trust as members for many years and were therefore aware of the great work that they do across our region. We felt as though we should and could go further and became patrons because we are in the fortunate position to be able to commit a little more. However, doing so has also brought us closer to the Trust, enabling us to learn much more about their activities and the complex decisions that they often have to make. The events that they run for the patrons provide not only great opportunities to learn more about the natural world and its conservation, but they have also allowed us to spend time with the staff, including our CEO, giving us a greater feeling of connectedness and a chance to feed in our views.Joint Patrons
Patrons have the opportunity to enjoy a close and special relationship with Somerset Wildlife Trust, meeting the people involved in conservation delivery, and getting a behind the scenes glimpse at some of our most vital work.
In appreciation of their generous support, Patrons receive:
- Exclusive invitations for themselves and a guest to events around the county and beyond, to see work in progress and the end results.
- An opportunity to meet our Chief Executive Officer at the annual Patrons’ lunch to learn of our future plans and to feedback their thoughts on our work.
- Bespoke updates about Somerset Wildlife Trust’s work.
- A complimentary copy of the twice-yearly magazine, Somerset Wildlife.
- Acknowledgement of their support on the Trust's website and in the Annual Report and Accounts (or anonymity if preferred).
Georgia Dent
A message from our CEO
“I am acutely aware of the importance of our Patrons’ scheme. Not only are we able to take on new challenges every year thanks to their generosity, but meeting them at the annual Patrons' lunch and hearing their views, reminds me of how many passionate and committed people we have in the county that are committed to ensuring our wildlife thrives. The support of this group of donors is central to our future success and I look forward to welcoming others to the scheme.”
Georgia Dent, Chief Executive Officer
As a Patron, you will help us continue:
- Ensure Somerset has a working landscape that has nature at its heart, where both people and wildlife can thrive
- Use our specialist knowledge to create a nature recovery network across Somerset, including by managing and restoring our nature reserves for a diverse range of wildlife
- Act as a catalyst and inspiration for local communities and organisations to work together in achieving this vision for Somerset
- Stand up for nature in local policy and planning decisions, and working nationally with The Wildlife Trust movement
- Involve people of all ages and backgrounds in our work inspiring them to value nature and improving their health and wellbeing
You can become a Patron of Somerset Wildlife Trust for just £83 a month or £1,000 a year, and if you Gift Aid your Patronage, your donation will go even further at no extra cost to you. There is also the option of becoming a Patron for Life and jointly with your partner.
| Individual Patrons | £83/month* or £1,000/year |
| Joint Patrons** | £125/month* or £1,500/year |
| Life Patronage | £10,000 |
| Joint Life Patronage** | £15,000 |
* amount if paid by direct debit
**if living at the same address
Patrons Fungi Foray at Dommet Woods Nature Reserve in the Blackdown Hills.
Patrons visit to the River Otter in Devon to see Beavers with Devon Wildlife Trust.
Patrons visit to Honeygar Farm in Westhay with CEO Georgia Dent and Head of Nature Recovery, Simon Clarke.
Patrons visit to Babcary Meadows with South Somerset Nature Reserves Manager, Mark Green.
Patrons visit Green Down to see the Large Blue butterfly - Lucy Marsh
Patrons guided walk at Chancellor’s Farm to see the Coronation wild flower meadows - Lucy Marsh
Patrons visit to Quants and Ruggin Nature Reserves
Patrons visit to WWT Steart Marshes
Annual Patrons Lunch with CEO Georgia Dent at Honeygar Farm.
Patron dawn chorus walk at Westhay to hear Bittern - Lucy Marsh
Become a patron
To enjoy a close and special relationship with Somerset Wildlife Trust, please download the application form below and return it to our Patrons Manager: Lucy Marsh, Somerset Wildlife Trust, 34 Wellington Road, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 5AW.
Bluebells - Lara Howe
Thank you to our life patrons
Phillipa Archer
Justin and Victoria Ash
Pete and Trish Comley
Mark and Marnie Franklin
Clive Taylor
Tim and Dede Sanderson
Lucy Starling
Giles Woodward
Daffodils - Chris Chappell
Thank you to our annual patrons
David and Dana Buchan, Dudley Cheesman, John Deverell CBE, Charles Fattorini, James and Alka Hughes-Hallett, Stanley and Jennifer Johnson, Jean Mantle, Rohan and Lily Masson-Taylor, Peter Morris, Lesley O'Mara, Mark O'Neill, Nigel and Janet Phillips, John, Gill and Rickards and Simon Hart, Laura Roberts, Janet Robinson and Paul Groom, Susan Shaw, Paul Sheppard and Lucy Dunford, Paul and Mona Sinclair, Patricia Stainton, Jane Taylor, Patrick Thomson, Chris and Maria Thring, Robert Unwin, Sarah Warren, Neil and Sarah Williams.
We would like to thank all our Patrons including those who wish to remain anonymous for their invaluable support of Somerset Wildlife Trust. Your help enables the Trust to take on new challenges every year.
Get in touch
If you would like to know more about the scheme or renew an existing Patronage, please contact Lucy on 01823 652441 or email lucy.marsh@somersetwildlife.org
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