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Impact Report 2024-25

Norfolk Wildlife Trust is the UK's oldest Wildlife Trust, managing over 60 nature reserves covering 5,100 hectares in Norfolk. In 2024–25 it restored 126 ponds, advised landowners on 112 wildlife sites, reached 4,856 children through education, launched its Wild Youth Action programme for 11–25-year-olds, and opened Sweet Briar Marshes — a new accessible urban nature reserve in Norwich. Fen orchid numbers at Upton Fen rose to a record 3,460 plants.

Report snapshot
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About

Nature reserve management (heathland, woodland, wetland, coastal habitats); peatland and wetland restoration; Ancient Woodland Inventory surveys; landowner and community habitat advice; planning and policy advocacy; Norfolk Wildlife Services ecology consultancy; Wild Youth Action youth programme; Nextdoor Nature community engagement; Sweet Briar Marshes urban nature reserve (Norwich); Wilder Communities workshops and events

Key Metrics

Key Metric 1 Over 60 nature reserves managed covering almost 5,100 hectares — equivalent to 1% of Norfolk's land
Key Metric 2 126 ponds restored or advised on across the county; habitat improvement advice given to landowners across 112 County Wildlife Sites
Key Metric 3 4,856 school children inspired through education visits; 1,292 young people aged 11–25 engaged through the new Wild Youth Action programme

Key Outcomes

  • Fen orchid population at Upton Fen increased from several dozen plants to 3,460 — an increase of over 1,000 compared to the previous year — through dedicated staff and volunteer conservation management
  • Natterjack toad reached record numbers at Syderstone Common with 61 strings of spawn counted and thousands of toadlets emerging, following decades of conservation work
  • Sweet Briar Marshes opened in Norwich in May 2024 with 83 free events attended by over 1,000 people, providing accessible urban nature for local communities including people with disabilities and mobility needs

Geography

East of England

Impact Snapshot
Key Metric 1
First known breeding success of spoonbills in the Norfolk Broads in around 400 years, recorded at Hickling Broads and Marshes
Key Metric 2
Over 60 nature reserves managed across Norfolk, with land owned or managed for wildlife exceeding 5,000 hectares
Key Metric 3
1,500 volunteers helped protect wildlife across the county during the year
New urban nature reserve co-designed with the local community, expanding accessible green space in Norfolk
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