Welcome

Summer in Kent is a powerful reminder of why we do what we do. From sun-dappled woodlands alive with birdsong to wildflower meadows buzzing with life, the county is at its most vibrant, and it’s the perfect time to explore the wild spaces that your support helps protect and restore.

In this edition of Wilder Kent, we showcase the vibrant organisation that Kent Wildlife Trust is and the diversity of our projects driving action and innovation. From the big and shiny (or shaggy and red-billed) to laying the groundwork for the return of pine martens, we’re finding bold new ways to let nature take the lead.

You’ll find plenty of inspiration in this issue. Explore key reserves to visit this summer, including some of our most accessible and wildlife-rich sites. And find out how we’re defending nature from ill-founded political attacks (on decidedly cute, and rather tiny, spiders being ‘blockers’ of economic growth).

All of this contributes to a bigger picture. This summer marks the release of our first ever impact report charting the progress of our Wilder Kent 2030 strategy over its first five years, and you can find our key headlines in this magazine. It’s not always easy to measure the impact of conservation work, especially in a time of such rapid environmental change. But we are committed to doing so transparently, creatively and rigorously.

In the face of complex ecological challenges, Kent Wildlife Trust is pioneering a new approach: using wilding principles, embracing ecosystem complexity, and pairing on-the-ground restoration with remote technology to track real change over time. It’s an ambitious path, but it’s one we believe is essential if we are to create lasting change for wildlife, people, and climate.

And as we look to the future, our summer appeal – Reconnect and Protect Nature’s Voice – reminds us of what’s at stake. Too many children are growing up without meaningful experiences in nature. Our Wilder Education programme, which reaches over 5,000 young people each year, is working to change that, but we need your help to fund it for the next six months.

So, thank you. Your support, as members, volunteers, donors and advocates, is what makes this all possible. Enjoy this edition, and enjoy the summer.