Sussex Wildlife Trust is an independent conservation charity working to protect wildlife, restore habitats and connect people with nature across East Sussex, West Sussex, Brighton and Hove. Established in 1961, it is the largest local organisation dedicated to protecting Sussex’s natural environment and forms part of the wider network of 46 Wildlife Trusts across the United Kingdom.
History and Background
Sussex Wildlife Trust was formed by local conservationists concerned about the loss of important wildlife habitats.
Since 1961, the organisation has expanded from protecting individual nature reserves to delivering landscape-scale nature recovery, marine conservation, environmental education, ecological research and policy advocacy.
It is registered in England as a charity and charitable company.
Mission and Purpose
The Trust’s vision is a Sussex rich in wildlife, valued and protected by everyone.
Its work aims to:
- Protect and restore wildlife habitats
- Reverse biodiversity decline
- Manage nature reserves
- Influence planning and environmental policy
- Support landowners and communities
- Provide environmental education
- Encourage people to take action for nature
- Strengthen climate resilience
Its Our Wild Sussex strategy seeks to put nature into recovery by 2030 and contribute to protecting and managing at least 30% of Sussex’s land and sea for wildlife.
Governance and Structure
Sussex Wildlife Trust is governed by a volunteer Board of Trustees elected by its membership.
The Trustees are responsible for:
- Strategic direction
- Legal and financial oversight
- Annual budgets
- Risk management
- Annual reports and accounts
- Compliance with charitable objectives
Operational management is delegated to the Chief Executive and Senior Management Team. Nic Scothern became Chief Executive in April 2026, succeeding Chris Corrigan.
The Trust is independently governed but works with the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts and other regional Wildlife Trusts on national conservation priorities.
Funding and Financial Support
Sussex Wildlife Trust funds its conservation activities through:
- Membership subscriptions
- Individual donations
- Gifts in wills and legacies
- Charitable grants
- Public appeals
- Business partnerships
- Project funding
- Events and educational activities
- Investment and trading income
Donations and legacies represent an important part of its income, alongside grants for specific habitat restoration, education and community projects.
The Trust is primarily a conservation charity rather than a general grant-making foundation. However, some partnership programmes provide targeted funding and ecological advice to landowners and community groups undertaking local nature recovery projects.
Major Programs and Initiatives
The Trust manages more than 30 nature reserves covering over 5,000 acres. These sites include woodland, chalk grassland, heathland, wetlands, grazing marshes, river valleys, saltmarshes, coastal cliffs and shingle beaches.
Major areas of work include:
- Nature Reserves: Protecting and restoring important habitats across Sussex.
- Wilder Learning: Delivering environmental education, Forest School, Wild Beach and nature-based learning.
- Sussex Kelp Recovery Project: Supporting the recovery of marine kelp habitats along the Sussex coast.
- Wilder Ouse: Working with communities and landowners to restore river and wetland environments.
- Wilder Horsham District: Creating connected habitats and local Nature Recovery Networks.
- Planning and Policy: Responding to development proposals and advocating for wildlife-friendly policies.
- Wildlife Recording: Supporting the Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre and ecological research.
The Trust also works with farmers, councils, businesses, schools, community groups and conservation organisations to deliver nature recovery beyond its own reserves.
Impact and Examples of Conservation Work
Sussex Wildlife Trust reports that:
- More than 38,000 people are members.
- More than 5,000 acres are managed for nature.
- Over 10,000 children visit its environmental education centres annually.
- More than 5,000 people attend wildlife events and courses each year.
- The Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre holds over 12 million local wildlife records.
- Hundreds of volunteers contribute thousands of working days annually.
Its conservation projects have restored wetlands, protected chalk grasslands, supported marine habitat recovery and helped communities create wildlife-friendly spaces.
The Trust also participates in large partnerships. In 2026, it joined organisations establishing the 1,500-hectare Seven Sisters National Nature Reserve, designed to protect groundwater, improve biodiversity and connect communities with the Sussex landscape.
Conclusion
Sussex Wildlife Trust is a leading regional wildlife conservation charity protecting Sussex’s landscapes, coastlines, habitats and species.
Through nature reserve management, scientific research, environmental education, community partnerships, policy advocacy and landscape-scale restoration, it works to reverse wildlife decline and create a healthier natural environment.
Supported by members, volunteers, donors, businesses and institutional funders, the Trust aims to ensure that nature is protected, restored and accessible to communities across Sussex.
For more information, visit here.
