Photo © Erin McDaid
Wilder Lives Across Nottinghamshire
Support our workGrowing a movement for nature
Our goal is for more people than ever before across Nottinghamshire to be inspired and empowered to take urgent action for nature and the climate in their daily lives: as individuals, at work and in communities. The impact of this action will not only be seen and felt in the environment, but also on people’s wellbeing and health.
Together, we can inspire more people than ever before to lead the change in their own communities, tackling the climate emergency and creating more space for nature and wildlife.
We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to live in a healthy, wildlife-rich natural world.
The Keeping It Wild team at work - Photo © Keeping It Wild
The Mayor of Retford at the time, Sue Shaw, unveiling the beaver sculpture with Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust staff and volunteers at Idle Valley - Photo © Sophie Bell
A photo from one of our twice-weekly strolls run by Lincolnshire Co-Op at Idle Valley Nature Reserve, where visitors can take in the views, chat with someone new, and enjoy the benefits of walking in nature. - Photo © Sophie Bell
Representatives of Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust at the Restore Nature Now march in London - Photo © Arran Wilson
Idle Valley Young Rangers installing new benches - Photo © Alex Morley
Keeping it Wild at allotments in St Ann's helping the team there create opportunities for young people - Photo © Keeping It Wild
Our Reserves Rangers Miriam and AJ, along with a team of dedicated volunteers, carrying out the first hay cut of the year at Skylarks Nature Reserve. - Photo © Megan McKay
Enabling a people powered nature recovery, tackling global challenges through local action
Elouise from The Secret Garden Project sows seeds with our city focused Wilder Officer at St Ann's allotments - Photo © Sophie Bell
Wilder Nottinghamshire Network
We’re supporting a growing network of local activists - wildlife gardeners, campaigners, community champions, young people, volunteers, land managers and more. Our dedicated teams work within communities across the county to grow this unique network, supporting groups by providing resources, training and expert advice to enable a vital movement for nature.
Members of Keeping It Wild at Woodthorpe Meadow - Photo © Keeping It Wild
Youth engagement and activism
It’s vital that as future custodians of our planet, young people should experience, be inspired by, and knowledgeable about nature. We bring together young people from ages 8-25 through our three youth engagement programmes, all designed to increase nature connection, improve mental wellbeing and provide opportunities to take positive action for wildlife.
Volunteer group cutting hay at Skylarks Nature Reserve - Photo © Megan McKay
Volunteering
Our team co-ordinate and look after an established and varied volunteering programme ranging from roles at our nature centres to getting hands on at reserves. Volunteering with our Trust has multiple benefits beyond making a difference for wildlife, it can act as a lifeline for many, improving physical and mental wellbeing and providing a sense of purpose and community.
“No-one will protect what they don’t care about; and no-one will care about what they have never experienced.”
Support our work
Donate £25
£25 could provide a volunteer with essential training for carrying out skilled work on reserves.
Donate £50
£50 could provide vital equipment, tools and resources for our volunteers and youth groups to use on our reserves.
Donate £250
£250 could support our Wilder Lives team to coordinate and manage engaging programmes that educate and inspire people about nature.Find out more
How can I join the network helping create a Wilder Nottinghamshire?
We’re committed to supporting more people than ever before to bring about positive change for nature through the Wilder Nottinghamshire Network - a community for everyone involved in nature’s recovery across Nottinghamshire.
Anyone can show their support for the network by adding your actions for nature to our map. You can also follow the Wilder Nottinghamshire group on Facebook and sign up for our Wilder email newsletter.
Groups can plot their activity on our groups map to connect with others and show how many people are already committed to a Wilder Nottinghamshire.
How do you work with young people?
Our Wildlife Watch groups for 8 – 12-year-olds across the county are run by committed volunteers, providing community-based opportunities to inspire young minds about nature and introduce young people to the our work.
Our Young Ranger teams for 13 – 18-year-olds often progress from Wildlife Watch to taking practical action for nature on Trust reserves and other nature sites. Working with our expert staff, they develop a wide range of knowledge and conservation skills, build confidence and gain experience of team working.
Our Keeping it Wild team for 13 – 25-year-olds meet weekly to learn about conservation and ways they can take action for nature and climate. They are responsible for managing one of our city nature reserves, Woodthorpe Meadow and help care for Little Holly Corner close by. They campaign on issues that affect our environment, engage with local communities and support action for wildlife in local areas.
See our Discover & Learn page to find out more about all our education and youth engagement programmes and how to get involved.
Our successes so far
In less than six months, almost 60 groups covering the length and breadth of the county have become part of the network and have already begun sharing their skills and expertise with others through bespoke workshops. As the network continues to grow we have no doubt it will make it easier for people to find out about projects taking place in their local communities and inspire others to act.
Further reading:
- See our Wilder Nottinghamshire page to read more about how community groups are making a positive difference for wildlife around the county.
- Our Keeping It Wild Projects page gives a run-down of the exciting things our youth-led volunteer group has tackled.
- Read our volunteer stories to find out about the positive impact volunteering has had on people's lives and our local environment.
- Our action map demonstrates the huge number of people taking individual actions for nature across Nottinghamshire.
How do I become a volunteer?
Volunteering can offer fantastic opportunities to meet new friends, gain skills and experiences, improve your health and wellbeing whilst making a difference for wildlife across our diverse and wonderful county.
We have a wide variety of opportunities across Nottinghamshire, both outdoors and indoors. Simply browse our opportunities and submit your application online. If you have any questions or need assistance applying please contact us at volunteering@nottswt.co.uk or 0115 958 8242.
Will you help us build a Wilder community?
The Field, Strelley
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The story of Whitemoor Allotments wildlife plot coming to fruition.
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Learn how you and your community can take action for nature by identifying and recording local species!
How to have an Eco Christmas
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Reflecting on a year of the Wilder Nottinghamshire Network
Our People and Nature team looks back over the past year of the Wilder Nottinghamshire Network and talks about plans for the future!
Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire's first ever Young Ranger get-together
Keeping It Wild member Miles writes about his experiences at Woodside Nature Reserve in Derbyshire while working with a team of…
