Welcome

Spring is here, and it brings a renewed sense of purpose and determination as we approach the halfway point of our Wilder Kent 2030 strategy.

Over the last few months, the team has been securing the next generation of chough chicks; challenging the government to ‘rethink SeaLink’ and stop viewing our remaining critical nature areas as the cheapest places to deliver major development; building the UK’s first two bison bridges; and beginning the upgrade of our Sevenoaks Visitor Centre and Wildlife Reserve.

Now, more than ever, there is a vital need for people all over the UK to be given the opportunity to connect with nature. The £2.1m transformation of our Jeffery Harrison visitor centre at Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve is aimed at doing just that. The improved building will offer both adults and children a modern, relaxing, and inspirational location to learn and thrive, with spectacular views across this Site of Special Scientific Interest, and the use of modern interpretation to showcase this flagship reserve, impact, and way of working across our wider landholdings.

More broadly our county-wide engagement work continues to grow through the Wilder Kent Awards. 2024 was our biggest year so far: with over 87 winning groups and more than 16,000 participants, all taking positive action for nature. Given this success, we have decided to expand the scheme and extend the entry period to the full calendar year from January and are holding the ceremony as a stand-alone event – separate from the AGM.

Meanwhile, as the days get brighter and longer, we have a packed programme of events and experiences on offer from Nature Tots and Forest School - where children can discover and learn in nature - to well-being weekends and Bison Ranger Experiences. Check out our ‘What’s on Guide’ on our new website for the complete list of family-friendly events.

Last, but not least, you will see our latest urgent appeal in this issue: a rare and exciting opportunity to buy Hoathly Farm in the Lamberhurst area, and not only restore it from intensive farming into a thriving nature reserve but connect directly with our existing Furnace Farm reserve next door.

This is the beginning of a new wilding landscape for KWT, with other opportunities likely to come up soon in the same area. It is potentially the biggest direct landscape conservation opportunity for the Trust since I have been in post.

It is one that we simply must not miss, so please do consider supporting us.

We know how much you want to see a Wilder Kent. The Hoathly-Furnace Farm complex will help us demonstrate multiple benefits for local communities in an area where KWT has traditionally had relatively little on-the-ground presence. It will also provide a boost for our beleaguered wildlife as we apply our wilding approach across a growing mosaic of landholdings in this area of the High Weald.

Thank you in advance for your continued support.

I hope you enjoy this edition.