Essex Wildlife Trust, the county’s leading conservation charity, announces it has signed the Armed Forces Covenant, pledging to support members of the armed forces community, including veterans and their families. 

Businesses and charitable organisations who wish to demonstrate their support for the armed forces community can sign the covenant. In doing so they make a range of written and publicised promises to set out their support.

For communities, the Armed Forces Covenant is a promise of mutual support between a civilian community and it’s local armed forces community.

Rich Yates, Chief Executive of the Trust, signed the covenant at Abberton Reservoir Nature Discovery Park on 17 June 2025. 

Essex Wildlife Trust’s patron, Lord Lieutenant Mrs Jennifer Tolhurst, the King’s personal representative in the county, attended the signing. The Lord Lieutenancy has close connections with the armed forces, especially the Volunteer Reserve Forces. 

Joining them was Colchester Garrison Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Ed Rankin and Essex County Councillor, Derrick Louis, Lead Member for the Armed Forces Covenant and Engagement, who served for 30 years as a reservist. 

The Trust will be working with Colchester Garrison and Essex County Council on an innovative project to bring forest schools to local families of those in the armed forces. 

Rich Yates, Chief Executive for Essex Wildlife Trust, says:

“By signing the Armed Forces Covenant, we’re showing our support for those who serve, have served, and their families. Nature can be a real source of comfort and connection,  and we believe nature has the power to bring people together and support wellbeing. We’re excited to work with Colchester Garrison and Essex County Council to help military communities enjoy and feel closer to our local wildlife and wild places.”