Mike, who’s connection with Nottingham and Nottinghamshire stretches back over 40 years to his time studying botany at the University of Nottingham, was elected by members alongside three new Vice Presidents – Prof. Sara Goodacre, Mick Burrows (DL) and Tom Aplin – and three new Trustees - Oliver Wade, who becomes Treasurer,  Matyas Liptovszky and Chris Ruston. 

Speaking about the new appointments, Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust Chief Executive Paul Wilkinson said:  

“I am delighted to welcome our new President, Vice Presidents and Trustees at an exciting time for the Trust as we strive to create a Wilder Nottinghamshire where people and wildlife are thriving together. Having recently refreshed our Wilder Nottinghamshire 2030 strategy, we are focussed on creating wilder places, helping people lead wilder lives and on ensuring that we are a thriving and sustainable organisation. Our new President and Vice Presidents will help act as ambassadors for our work and help us build new partnerships whilst our new Trustees will bring vital skills to our board and help strengthen our governance. Alongside our existing staff, trustees, VPs and other volunteers, our new recruits will help ensure Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust is well placed to champion nature recovery across the county.”  

President 

Mike Dilger has been a proud Vice-President of Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust for thirteen years but his links with the County stretch back to the 1980s and his time at the University of Nottingham when he spent many a happy hour birdwatching at Attenborough Nature Reserve. After University, Mike worked for the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers at Burton Joyce and then got a short-term contract with Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust - before moving into broadcasting. 

Vice Presidents 

• Sara Goodacre is Professor of Evolutionary Biology and Genetics at the University of Nottingham and has worked with the Trust for a number of years, including leading research at Attenborough Nature Reserve 
• Mick Burrows is a former Chief Executive of Nottinghamshire County Council, an active Deputy Lieutenant and has been a regular visitor to Attenborough for over 60 years.  
• Growing up, Tom Aplin spent a lot of time in wild spaces, especially Sherwood Forest. Tom has volunteered with the Trust in a number of roles, including being a member of our Keeping it Wild Youth Team  

New Trustees 

• Oliver Wade, a chartered accountant, Oliver works for an accountancy firm in Nottingham. Outside work, he is passionate about local wildlife and the natural world, with a particular love for bird watching.  
• Matyas Liptovszky works as Professor in the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Nottingham where he teaches and does research in the broad fields of fields of wildlife health, welfare and conservation.  
• Chris Rushton is Village Director for the company’s Sherwood Forest site. Chris has been a Non-Executive Director of the Trust’s subsidiary, which runs centres at Attenborough and Idle Valley Nature Reserves since autumn 2024.