Surrey Wildlife Trust has reached a milestone. Emma Pritchard recalls the charity’s remarkable history and looks forward to an exciting future...
It all began with a chance conversation. As the best ideas always do.
“I wonder if a few of us might get together to formulate some plans about a trust…” wrote John Clegg, a museum curator in Haslemere and a keen ecologist, to his acquaintance John Sankey.
The rest, as they say, is history. One year later, in March 1959 – exactly 60 years ago – the Surrey Wildlife Trust (then called Surrey Naturalists’ Trust) was launched. Its aims? ‘To protect wildlife and educate the public about nature’.
And it wasted no time. By 1960, Clegg, Sankey and a band of 100 like-minded ecologists, conservationists and enthusiasts had set their sights on what would become the Trust’s first reserve: Seale Chalk Pit near Guildford. Within two years it was theirs, purchased from Jesus College, Cambridge and transformed into a rich chalk grassland habitat, where iconic plant species such as bee orchid, spotted orchid and red valerian could thrive.
Next came Godstone’s Bay Pond (1965), an old mill pond in the east of the county surrounded by wildflower meadows, gifted to the Trust by Miss EJ Lindley. And then it was Nower Wood (1971), an 83-acre ancient woodland. Thanks to £20,000 in public donations, the Trust saved it from felling.
In 1987, through the efforts of Mary Adler and other locals, Brentmoor Heath at West End, near Woking, was saved from being sold off for housing; and in 2000, after much persistence and persuasion, the Trust acquired Dawcombe – 57 acres of chalk grassland near Reigate, then overgrown with scrub – for £1. The area is now abundant in butterflies, invertebrates and more than 50 different species of bird.
On and on it went, a site following site: neglected spaces lifted into vibrant, breathing habitats.
“Surrey’s countryside, its iconic landscape, is both varied and extremely important for nature,” says newly appointed Surrey Wildlife Trust CEO, Sarah Jane Chimbwandira. “It has a wealth of nationally and internationally key sites, ranging from lowland heathland to chalk grassland and woodland.”
In fact, Surrey is the most wooded county in England. Yet its health is at risk: according to the 2016 State of Surrey’s Nature report – produced by the Trust for the Surrey Nature Partnership – a third of species are in decline.
Jon Hawkins
“My hope is that we can create a county where wildlife thrives across all areas – beyond our special protected sites and into every nook and cranny of Surrey,” says Chimbwandira.
A tall order, perhaps, but one that the Trust is taking in its stride. For Chimbwandira, who comes to her role with Surrey Nature Partnership and Surrey Hills Society posts under her belt, it is all about collaboration and partnership.
“I want people to remember that Surrey is their county. That this is their Wildlife Trust. I want local groups and people to get in touch and let me know what they want us to focus on. Together we can really make a positive difference for wildlife.”
To mark this year’s 60th anniversary, the Trust put out calls for 16-18-year-olds to attend its free environmental Youth Summit (Mar 28) to demand a greener, more sustainable future. Meanwhile, its Wild Surrey Art and Photography Competition – designed to encourage the public to showcase what they love most about Surrey’s countryside and wildlife in a variety of media – is now open for entries.
From helping to monitor flora and fauna to laying hedgerows, from teaching school groups to assisting at events, opportunities abound. Nor will your support go unnoticed.
“Getting to know volunteers and working alongside them to make positive changes is a very rewarding experience,” says Citizen Science Co-ordinator, Kate Basley. “I am constantly inspired.”
So, what do the next 60 years have in store? Well, like Clegg and Sankey before her, Chimbwandira isn’t one to bide her time.
“This is a significant moment in our history,” she says – and not just because of the anniversary. “The Environment Bill currently going through Parliament is a unique opportunity to secure the future of the countryside.”
Indeed, it’s the first time in 20 years that new laws to protect wildlife and nature have been drafted.
“If residents do nothing else, I urge them to back this strong bill. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Chimbwandira will also lead the Trust’s new five-year strategy to build a connective network of habitats across three key areas: Thames Basin Heaths in the west of the county, the North Downs and Holmesdale in the east.
“The pressure on our countryside has never been greater, so it becomes more important than ever to protect these few natural areas that remain and that means so very much to so many.”
Who said that? Sir David Attenborough, back at the Trust’s silver jubilee in 1984. Thirty-five years on, they are words that still ring true.
Take part...
- Wild Surrey Art & Photography Exhibition: May 25 – Jun 14
- Guildford Goes Wild: Guildford High Street, Jun 1-2
- Bay Pond Open Day: Godstone Jun 15
- Heath Week: Jul 28 – Aug 2
- Rivers Week: Sept 22-29
Your Surrey needs you. To make a difference visit: surreywildlifetrust.org
