Explore Manufacturing has been a steadfast partner formally joining the Trust in 2023 and has agreed to continue as a valued business supporter throughout 2026.

With climate change leading to more frequent and intense rainfall, effective land management is crucial for building resilience against flooding. Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust’s Natural Flood Management (NFM) programme, funded by the Environment Agency’s National NFM Programme, implements targeted measures across the Ryton catchment to slow water flows, store water higher up, and reduce flood risk downstream. Flooding remains a significant challenge in Worksop, with major incidents in 2007, 2019, and 2022 affecting hundreds of homes and businesses.

Explore Manufacturing has supported the Trust’s NFM approach by collaborating on natural flood mitigation works around their site at Darfolds Dyke. This partnership has resulted in the installation of leaky dams, designed to manage water flow and mitigate flood risks, demonstrating Explore’s dedication to sustainable business practices and community well-being. 

Through this partnership, the Trust continues to inspire, educate, and engage Explore Manufacturing’s employees and their families, encouraging them to connect with the natural world and champion nature’s recovery both at their own site and within the wider community. 

Highlights from the partnership include Wellbeing Walks hosted at the Trust’s Idle Valley Nature Reserve (IVNR), offering Explore staff the opportunity to immerse themselves in nature and experience its benefits for mental health. They also take part in a Wild Work Day, coinciding with World Environment Day each year, where Explore staff assist with vital conservation activities, supporting the vision of a wildlife-rich landscape for people and wildlife alike. 

Explore support the nationwide “No Mow May” campaign, adopting sustainable landscaping practices that benefit essential pollinators and other wildlife. 

Explore Manufacturing remains committed to enhancing its Worksop site for the benefit of both wildlife and employees, as an active member of the Trust’s ‘Wilder Nottinghamshire Network’. This countywide movement empowers individuals, community groups, and businesses to act collectively for nature. In partnership with the Trust’s ecological consultancy subsidiary, East Midlands Ecology Consultants Ltd.

Explore Manufacturing’s Environmental Sustainability Lead, Catherine Blackburn, commented; “At Explore Manufacturing we are pleased to have been able to contribute to this initiative. With weather events forecast to become more extreme over the coming years, it’s crucial that we form part of the solution providing protection to the wider community. It’s been fantastic to see this partnership develop, building on new initiatives year on year and we look forward to our continued relationship with Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust over the coming year.”

Emily Patrick, Partnerships and Trust Manager, at the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust commented, “It’s great to see how our partnership has grown over the years, and we always enjoy welcoming and engaging their employees at our reserves. Their involvement with Wild Work Days is so valuable to the Trust, it’s great to get employees together to take part in conservation activities required to keep reserves a wildlife haven. We are delighted they’ve collaborated with our NFM project showing their support in the wider community to mitigate flooding risk. I look forward to the year ahead! ”