Inspiring individuals to take an active role in conservation is at the heart of our Wilder Kent 2030 mission. By sharing success stories of local wildlife recovery and showcasing the beauty of Kent’s ecosystems, we aim to ignite passion within communities. By continuing to inspire one another and working collaboratively with our partners, we can nurture a thriving environment for generations to come. Here are just a few of our 2024 successes...
Wilder Kent 2024 Volunteer Winners
It’s been a fantastic year for volunteering! This year, we launched our Volunteer Recognition Programme to celebrate the invaluable contributions of the many people who generously give their time and energy to support our mission.
From specially-curated welcome packs to pins marking service milestones, and from three volunteer-only events each year to our ever-popular Volunteer Awards, there’s never been a better time to join our vibrant community!
Volunteering boosts mental well-being, offers a chance to make friends and teaches you about conservation. Not keen on outdoor work? We have plenty of opportunities for you indoors too!
Ready to get involved?
Wilder Kent Awards 2024
This year’s awards were a huge win for nature, with 87 winning groups and over 16,000 people taking positive action for nature. When asked “How connected to nature do you feel having taken part in the awards?”, the average response was a resounding 8.9 out of 10.
Sign up to receive updates about Wilder Kent Awards 2025
Wilder learning
In 2024, our education programme has continued to thrive. We welcomed 115 groups and over 3,000 pupils to Tyland Barn and Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve. Through outreach initiatives like the Wilder Schools Initiative and the Blue Influencer scheme, we reached an additional 2,800 children, inspiring the next generation of wildlife enthusiasts.
Could your class get wilder?
Experiencing a Wilder Kent
In July, we hosted the Wilder Blean Festival and were joined by author Alice Hemming and illustrator Nancy Leschnikoff to mark the release of the Wilder Blean-inspired book ‘The Bison and the Butterfly’.
Over 350 people also joined us for pond dipping, crafting and storytelling over the summer holidays at Tyland Barn, Sevenoaks, and West Blean.
We introduced Weekend Wellness events, including nature-based crafting, mindfulness walks and Forest Bathing, and by the end of 2024, over 300 people will have met the Bison Ranger team for unforgettable guided tours.
Join us for an experience soon!
Farming with nature
Since 2019, our Nature Recovery team has been forging positive lasting relationships with farmers across Kent. Our nature-friendly farming projects include Government-mandated Tests and Trials to help in the design of the new Environmental Land Management Policy, working with Southern Water to pilot Farmer Clusters, and developing one of England’s first Landscape Recovery Schemes with 20 landholdings involved across the Darent Valley.
Our work is a partnership with the farmers of Kent, putting nature into recovery alongside securing quality, sustainable food production.
And it’s needed now more than ever, with 2024 marked out as the UK’s second worst harvest on record due to unseasonal rainfall.
Highlights from this year include:
- A Darent farmers’ trip to the inspiring River Nar restoration project
- The successful first crop harvest from our regenerative agriculture Winter Wheat field trial
- A dynamic knowledge exchange among Low Weald farmer clusters (Marden and Upper Beult), focussed on protecting turtle doves and nightingales
Corporate members
We are incredibly grateful to the businesses and parish councils that joined us as corporate members or partners in 2024. This year, more organisations than ever have stepped up to support nature in Kent, thanks to our exciting new partnership packages.
Thank you to our partners for supporting us this year: Martin Tolhurst Solicitors and Balfour Winery.
From membership to supporting projects like Bugs Matter, Sevenoaks or Bison Bridges, there are so many ways to get involved. Get in touch with the team today to make your business better, wilder and greener!
Your corporate team
Contact us
Email us: corporate@kentwildlife.org.uk
Speak, write or visit: 01622 357800 | Tyland Barn, Sandling Lane, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 3BD
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Wilder Kent Magazine
Winter 2024
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Welcome
This is the Winter edition of Wilder Kent. Kent Wildlife Trust is the leading conservation charity for the county of Kent.
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More from Kent Wildlife Trust
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Our marvellous members
This year, we proudly welcomed over 2,000 new members to our ever-growing herd! Each and every one of you plays a vital role in our mission to protect and enhance Kent’s diverse wildlife and natural habitats. We really couldn’t do this without you!
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We defend and restore
2024 marked the first release of the Wilder Blean project’s monitoring data. While it’s still too early to fully understand how the bison are shaping the Blean, our Bison Rangers have already noticed rides and glades emerging, with an abundance of wildlife at every turn.
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We strengthen and grow
Our teams are always working to be more efficient, explore new technologies and embrace innovations that enable us to make nature a priority across the county and beyond. The Kent Wildlife Trust Group is driving investment into conservation through unique initiatives that encourage businesses and organisations to support our Wilder Kent mission.
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New ways to give
As one of our valued members, you’re already helping to protect and restore nature in Kent. Keen to make your impact go even further? There are even more simple, and often free, ways to support our vital work...
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Photography Competition 2024
Wildlife Photographer of the Year
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Support chough chicks this Christmas
Limited time only: Until 14 December Triple your donation for free!
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Be part of something wild
Transforming Sevenoaks Visitor Centre and Wildlife Reserve
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