Join!
Essex is a diverse county with many major developments already starting or being planned.
Click here to join us today and help protect Essex wildlife for the future.
Essex Wildlife Trust is also supported by the business sector.
For details of joining our Corporate Scheme click here.
Join Today - You can really make a difference
to the wildlife in Essex!
"By joining Essex Wildlife Trust you really will be making a difference to your county. It is imperative that wildlife can flourish on protected nature reserves and that in such a developed county people have access to some wonderful woodlands, meadows, coastal areas and farmland. I would encourage anyone who cares about wildlife to join Essex Wildlife Trust today." Bill Oddie
Essex Wildlife Trust relies on membership from the general public and from corporate members to help fund their vital conservation work across the county.
Essex Wildife Trust was established in 1959 by a few people who wanted to protect Essex wildlife for future generations to enjoy. Essex Wildlife Trust is the largest conservation charity in the county and is busy saving and improving important green areas so that wildlife can flourish and people can experience the natural world around them.
The extent to which Essex has lost important natural areas and certian species which live on them is devastating.
What we have already lost in Essex
- 94% of Water Voles had been lost in Essex by 2000.
- Over 90% of wildlflower meadows.
- 72% of coastal marsh since 1930.
- In 1777 when the first map of Essex was produced you could walk on heathland all the way from Colchester to Maldon but now that all that remains is Tiptree Heath, an area of just 25 hectares.
- Skylark numbers halved between 1969 and 1991.
- The Song Thrush has declined by 73% since the mid 1970's.
- Only 200 mature Black Poplar trees remain in our county.
- We have lost 40% of our saltmarsh in the last 40 years.
Help halt these declines in our wildlife!
Members of Essex Wildife Trust contribute to improving and maintaining our 87 nature reserves on 7,250 acres of land where wildlife is protected and people have free access. They contribute to purchasing more land for nature; there is still important land to be protected for the benefit of wildlife - as Essex is further developed it is important to keep green areas for wildlife and people.
Essex Wildlife Trust also educates over 40,000 children and adults each year teaching them about the importance of wildlife and ensuring they experience and enjoy the natural world around them. There are 15 education staff across the county and two community wildlife officers who are busy working with schools, community groups and adults offering extensive knowledge of the importance of Essex wildlife, whilst ensuring it is fun.
Essex Wildlife Trust manage seven visitor centres, which offer fantastic events across the county and offer people a really inspiring day out and information about the surrounding nature reserves. We are continually working with MPs, councillors and industry to protect wildlife and to offer important green space for people.
Essex Wildlife Trust is the county's leading conservation charity and is working to Protect Wildlife for the Future across Essex. It has more than 35,000 members, manages and protects over 7,250 acres of land on 87 nature reserves. The Trust is one of 47 wildlife trusts that work together across the British Isles as The Wildlife Trusts. Without financial support from members, local businesses and grant making organisations, Essex Wildllife Trust could not carry out its important conservation work.
By becoming a valued member you would make an important difference to our work within your home county. Members receive three editions of Essex Wildlife magazine every year which highlights our important work and provides interesting and informative articles.
Members also receive two event guides a year showing the many events that are on offer across the county along with our reserves guide with a map detailing our nature reserves and their location. In addition there are three issues of Natural World magazine every year produced by The WIldlife Trusts giving you detailed articles about wildlife and conservation across the UK. Finally, there is the Annual Report from Essex Wildlife Trust which gives details of the important work that the Trust implements every year and details of the Accounts for you to see how the money is spent.