2025 Free

Annual Report and Financial Statement 2024–2025

Derbyshire Wildlife Trust works towards a Wilder Derbyshire where people and wildlife thrive together. In 2024–25, the Trust managed 2,876 ha of land for nature, delivered 17,935 community engagements, supported seven species recovery projects including beavers returning to Derbyshire for the first time in 800 years, and led nationally recognised biodiversity net gain work. Over 25,000 individuals were reached through community programmes, with 40 grassroots rewilding projects funded.

Report snapshot
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About

Landscape-scale wildlife conservation across Derbyshire through nature reserves, habitat restoration, biodiversity net gain (BNG) units, species recovery and reintroduction (beavers, water voles, salmon, crayfish), urban rewilding at Allestree Park, community grants via Wild Peak fund, and nature-based learning for schools and underserved communities

Key Metrics

Key Metric 1 2,876 ha of land under direct influence for nature, with 7 species recovery projects at or near implementation
Key Metric 2 17,935 wilder community engagements in 2024–25 (67,935 cumulative since 2020); 55 wilder initiatives established in schools and public spaces
Key Metric 3 Over 25,000 individuals engaged through skills training, community rewilding events and nature-based programmes

Key Outcomes

  • 7 species recovery projects delivered including beavers returning to Derbyshire for the first time in 800 years, Atlantic salmon restoration on the River Ecclesbourne, and white-clawed crayfish ark sites
  • 163 developments committed to biodiversity gain; Derbyshire Biological Record Centre now holds over 3 million records supporting local planning decisions
  • 40 grassroots rewilding projects funded through Derwent Living Forest and Wild Peak programmes; 480 students engaged; over 800 new memberships added in 2024–25, bringing total to over 17,000

Geography

East Midlands

Impact Snapshot
Key Metric 1
61,819 native oysters deployed across UK restoration projects in 2024/25
Key Metric 2
15,064 people participated in the Beachwatch beach clean programme, submitting 1,256 litter surveys — the highest in the programme's 31-year history
Key Metric 3
17,613 young people engaged through in-person or online youth programme sessions
£11.5 billion Ofwat investment package secured for storm overflow cuts in England and Wales following sustained MCS advocacy
Impact Snapshot
Key Metric 1
191,000 cats and kittens helped — 525 a day (2023: 184,000); 29,000 cats rehomed; 168,000 cats neutered including 13,000 feral cats; 93,000 cats microchipped
Key Metric 2
£96.9 million total income (2023: £89.3 million); £108.5 million net assets; £50.1 million legacy income; 9,800 volunteers (2023: 9,200)
Key Metric 3
430 cat owners helped to flee domestic abuse with 750 cats given temporary foster homes (Lifeline) — up from 229 in 2023; 5.9 million...
Mandatory microchipping for cats in England came into force June 2024 — direct result of years of Cats Protection campaigning; Pet Abduction Act came into force August 2024 making cat theft a specific criminal offence; Cat Manifesto sent to every election candidate with 111 newly elected MPs having responded
Impact Snapshot
Key Metric 1
32,000 people participated in learning activities; 65,000 volunteer hours contributed; 250,000 biodiversity-boosting plants and bulbs planted; 24,000 snowdrops planted by Royal Parks Half Marathon...
Key Metric 2
94% of public rated their visit as good or excellent; 5 consecutive years all 8 parks awarded Green Flag; 160,000+ members making 300,000+ visits;...
Key Metric 3
1,000 free plants donated to local charities, community groups and schools; 200 old noticeboards and maps replaced; 12,500 enquiries handled by visitor support team;...
Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Garden at Regent's Park received planning permission and is progressing — opening Spring 2026; Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground renewal received planning permission — opening Spring 2026; Greenwich Park flagship restoration project completed — new meadows, shrubs, community facilities
Impact Snapshot
Key Metric 1
69 nature reserves managed across 6,193 hectares in Northumberland, North Tyneside and Newcastle
Key Metric 2
14,449 volunteer hours contributed to practical conservation on reserves and partner sites
Key Metric 3
Peatland restoration underway across 5,000 ha at 14 sites, including 250 ha completed at The Wou and Moss Peteral Farm
Secured first tranche of the Rothbury Estate — the largest land sale in England in 30 years — creating a 40-mile nature recovery corridor from the coast to Kielder