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Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust is a registered charity and conservation organisation working across Sheffield and Rotherham in South Yorkshire, England. Founded in 1985, the Trust manages nature reserves, campaigns for wildlife protection, and engages communities in environmental education and action. It is part of the federation of 46 Wildlife Trusts across the UK but operates independently as a local charity under the legal name Sheffield Wildlife Trust.
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History
The Trust originated as the Sheffield City Wildlife Group in April 1985, formed by volunteers seeking to protect a patch of green space off Ecclesall Road, which became the Sunnybank Nature Reserve.[1] It formally registered as a charity (No. 700638) in April 1988 and became affiliated with the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts in 1991. Under CEO Rob Stoneman in the late 1990s, the Trust expanded significantly through urban regeneration funding, leasing 11 reserves and securing a £1 million Heritage Lottery grant by 1998.[2]
Following a public rebrand to Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust, the charity broadened its remit to include sites across both districts. Key milestones include acquiring Greno Woods in 2012[3] and Ughill Farm in 2024,[4] as well as a successful campaign to save ancient Smithy Wood from development.[5] In 2025, the Trust celebrated its 40th anniversary.
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Mission and activities
The Trust's mission is to protect and enhance local wildlife and wild places for the benefit of nature and people. It manages over 600 hectares of habitat across 15 nature reserves and one conservation farm.[6] Activities include land management, community outreach, advocacy, ecological consultancy (via its Wildscapes CIC), education, and citizen science.[7]
The Trust is a leading voice in local environmental campaigns, such as flood management, climate adaptation, and biodiversity recovery. It participates in initiatives including the Sheffield Lakeland Partnership,[8] Sheffield Street Tree Partnership, Sheffield Swift Network, and the South Yorkshire Local Nature Partnership.
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Nature Reserves and Sites
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Designation key:
- SSSI – Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
- LNR – Local Nature Reserve (LNR)
- LWS – Local Wildlife Site (LWS)
1. Nature Reserves in Sheffield
2. Nature Reserves in Rotherham
3. Special Conservation Spaces
4. Nature-Friendly Farming
The Trust formerly managed Blackburn Meadows, a wetland site in the Lower Don Valley, but ceased direct management in 2019. The site is owned by Sheffield City Council, and the Trust continues to provide input on its long-term ecological management.[9]
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Education and Outreach
The Trust runs events, training, and education programmes including Wild at Heart for wellbeing and Nature Tots for early years. It supports schools, green prescribing, and community projects such as Natural Neighbours and Wild Work Days. Over 5,000 members and hundreds of volunteers contribute to its work.[10][11]
Governance
The Trust publishes a full list of trustees and its Patron on its official website.[12] Notable patrons have included Mike Dilger, naturalist and television presenter. The Trust is governed by a board of trustees and led by a Chief Executive. As of 2025, the Chair is Ben Stone and the outgoing CEO is Liz Ballard (2012–2025). It is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee. In 2024, it became one of the first Wildlife Trusts to formally recognise a staff union (IWGB). The recognition followed a period of internal staff campaigning and public comment, including media coverage of disagreements between staff and leadership.[13]
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Wildscapes CIC
Wildscapes CIC is a wholly owned community interest company established by the Trust in 2007 to deliver environmental consultancy and land management services. Profits from Wildscapes are reinvested into the Trust’s charitable activities. The team provides services such as habitat surveys, biodiversity net gain planning, practical conservation works, and ecological advice to public bodies, developers, and other charities. Wildscapes contributes significantly to nature recovery in the region while supporting the Trust's financial sustainability.
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Partnerships
The Trust is affiliated with The Wildlife Trusts, contributing to national campaigns and biodiversity strategy. Locally, it hosts, runs or works with:
- Sheffield Swift Network – raising awareness and protection for swift nesting habitat in urban areas.[14]
- The Sheffield Street Tree Partnership – promoting collaboration on sustainable urban tree management.[15]
- South Yorkshire Woodland Partnership – supporting landscape-scale woodland creation and management.[16]
- Sheffield Lakeland Partnership – landscape-scale habitat restoration and community engagement.[8]
- Sheffield City Council and Rotherham MBC – co-managing sites and advising on planning.
- South Yorkshire Local Nature Partnership – coordinating recovery strategy and green networks.
- Peak District National Park Authority – joint moorland and species conservation.
- Universities of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam – research, placements, and citizen science.
- NHS and mental health charities – delivering green prescribing and wellbeing programmes.
- Wildscapes CIC – Trust-owned consultancy delivering ecological services.
- Woodland Trust, RSPB, Yorkshire Water – collaborative projects on woodland, wetland and catchment management.
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Recognition
The Trust has won multiple awards including the Green Flag Award for Wyming Brook,[17] Movement for Good funding, and a Healthcare Alliance Award for Wild at Heart. It has been featured in media including the BBC and Sheffield Tribune.[18]
See also
References
External links
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