Essex Wildlife Trust is the county's leading conservation charity. Our vision is the protection of wildlife for the future and for the people of Essex. With around 34,000 members and around 450 corporate supporters, we are one of the largest of the 47 county wildlife trusts that work together throughout the British Isles.
Working with a wide range of voluntary and statutory partners, EWT delivers a host of practical and innovative conservation, land management and education activities for the benefit of Essex's people and wildlife. Our recent signature projects have included Europe's largest coastal realignment on the Blackwater Estuary, recreating large areas of coastal saltmarsh; the development of a landmark Thames-side nature park on the site of a former 800 acre landfill site; and the opening of our 10th visitors centre in the heart of the Ingrebourne Valley.
Volunteers are an integral part of everything EWT does, working alongside our dedicated professional conservation, reserve management and education staff.
Essex Wildlife Trust manages and protects over 8,200 acres of land across all parts of the county, made up of 87 nature reserves, two nature parks and 10 visitors centres (with our 11th centre due to open in early 2016).
Over 300,000 people visit one of our centres each year and around 60,000 learn about wildlife through one of our schools, adult and family education sessions.
Through the development of Living Landscapes and Living Seas strategies, working with landowners, farmers, local communities, fishermen and other coastal operators, we are ensuring that both the land and the sea is managed and conserved for the greatest benefit of local wildlife populations.
We have our own arable farm, demonstrating how the farming community can work in harmony with wildlife. We also monitor and record data on key species and habitats around the county - using this information as part of our campaigning activities to protect the local landscape and influence the development of the county.
Local EWT groups around Essex also provide a direct link into the practical conservation of our local wildlife sites, as well as helping out with our education work and arranging a host of talks, walks and other activities.
