Annual Review 2020 2021 - A summary of the impact of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust in 2020 2021
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A summary of the impact of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust in 2020 - 2021 Annual Review 2020 - 2021
BERTIE GREGORY/2020VISION
Message from the Chair
It is clearer now, more than ever Whilst we were in lockdown and with As you will see from the accounts, the
before, that the health of humanity is our social interactions curtailed, we Trust continues to be in a good place
inextricably linked to the health of our missed a year of opportunities to talk financially thanks to your ongoing
planet. to people and share our mutual love of support and is well placed to deal with
We must never forget how wildlife local wild places and wildlife. These were the challenges that lie ahead.
helped us during the pandemic – those also missed opportunities to gain new I know that I am leaving Lincolnshire
moments in nature that lifted our spirits. members and we have seen a slight dip Wildlife Trust in good heart and have
The first lockdown coincided with the in our membership. It makes you all the every confidence that the Trust will be
start of spring and I, like so many others, more valuable – thank you for staying able to play a major role in addressing
relied on nature close to my home as a with us and supporting us through these the biodiversity and climate crises within
source of comfort and hope. difficult times. the county, particularly when working
We have been reminded that daily It is with real sadness that I have at a national level within a network of
connection with nature is vital for our announced my intention to step down as Wildlife Trusts.
own health and wellbeing. But nature a Trustee at the AGM in October. It has Much uncertainty still lies ahead but
is still in decline and we are facing the been an absolute pleasure to have served as always, we will rely on our members,
biggest challenges to humanity: the on the Board for the last twelve years, volunteers and other supporters, whom
biodiversity and climate crises. firstly as Honorary Treasurer and latterly I thank for all the good work they have
Just as nature helped us cope with the as Chair of Trustees, but I think the time done.
pandemic, nature and natural solutions is right to allow others to take on the
can show us the way forward. mantle of leading the Trust.
David Cohen,
Chair of the Board of Trustees
On the cover:
We all felt a little stuck inside during 2020, just
like the frog in Sally Tyler’s photo - one of over 200
entries in a new wildlife photography competition
held in partnership with The Collection, Lincoln.
The impact of covid-19
This Review covers the financial year Watch’ at Willow Tree Fen. Volunteers are Trust’s website saw a significant increase
from April 2020 and ending March essential to the success of the Trust and in visitors.
2021. It was a year like no other and we are looking forward to welcoming Work on reserves included carrying
the Covid-19 restrictions clearly had these dedicated people back. out essential management work,
a significant impact on the way we Work on the Love Lincs Plants project checking livestock and ensuring reserves
have been able to conduct “business as had to be suspended as we were unable were safe for people to visit particularly
usual”. However, our staff and volunteers to undertake essential fieldwork and in light of changing Government
have coped with these challenges in training but an extension has been guidance.
an exemplary manner and we have granted by National Lottery Heritage As the first lockdown eased, Trust
continued to deliver for nature in Fund, allowing us to complete this nature reserves and the wider
Lincolnshire. important work during 2021. countryside came under huge pressure
Fortunately, we had very few However, despite all of this, our work from increased numbers of visitors.
confirmed cases of Covid-19, which continued. This included a range of This led to many undesirable impacts
speaks volumes for the careful way we advocacy work with government and including littering and vandalism.
have applied government guidelines others at a national level. This work However, the appetite to experience the
along with the actions of our staff. has covered The Environment Act, the countryside has shown the need for
Government restrictions remained marine environment, planning reform, good quality green space close to people’s
in place throughout the year and the Nature Recovery homes where wildlife can thrive and
Trust’s Headquarters, Banovallum House, Networks, and the people can learn and connect with
remained closed to visitors. Whilst some Build Back Better nature.
staff were able to maintain a working campaign, all All of this has demonstrated
presence, the majority continued to work of which are that our work and our mission to
from home, and some were furloughed. important to us save wildlife has never been more
Visitor engagement was significantly in Lincolnshire important.
curtailed, with visitor centres closed for but are best
most of the period. There were no formal approached
education visits to nature reserves through a
and centres and our popular events concerted
programme was also cancelled, as were national effort.
external events such as the Lincolnshire We continued
Show. Our group activities such as to produce
Nature Tots, Wildlife Watch and Area our top-quality
Groups were also put on hold. magazine, Lapwings,
Disappointingly, volunteering was which received
significantly restricted, although some some very favourable
specific activity was authorised under feedback. Social media was
tight restrictions including the ‘Crane particularly active, and the
There was an impressive list of breeding bird firsts
JON HAWKINS/SURREY HILLS PHOTOGRAPHY
on our nature reserves, in part arising from the
tranquillity during the first Covid-19 lockdown.
These included the cranes at Willow Tree Fen, little
egret (left) at Gibraltar Point and woodlark (right)
at Epworth Turbary nature reserve.
Helping nature’s recovery
We are implementing real conservation change in Lincolnshire. During the year, the Wildlife Trusts
launched the 30 by 30 campaign calling for at least 30% of our land and sea to be connected and
protected for nature’s recovery by 2030. Our nature reserves are a vital part of this, but to achieve it we
need to work with and influence others.
Despite the pandemic, the work of the especially our regular contractors, who the winter period involved digging new
Trust didn’t stop and our nature reserves worked with us over the course of the channels and pools. This breathes new
continued to provide a home to many of year. life into the reedbeds and prevents them
the county’s rarest and most threatened But we don’t always follow tradition. from drying out. The work has paid off
wildlife. More innovative approaches to spectacularly with regular sightings
Nature reserves are at the heart of management are also used and new of otters, two successful bittern nests,
what we do. We now care for almost 100, nature reserves have been created on two marsh harrier nests that fledged
covering 3,877 hectares of land. They former arable and industrial land. six young, 19 pairs of bearded tits and 18
are havens where wildlife can thrive As outlined in last year’s Annual Cetti’s warbler territories.
and are also places where everyone can Review, we were delighted when If nature reserves are core to the work
experience the natural world. Who would common cranes raised a single chick of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, they
have thought just a few years back that at Willow Tree Fen. When the land was are also core to the idea of a nature
you would be able to hear the booming purchased in 2009, it had been growing recovery network. They are the richest
of bitterns and the bugling of cranes? wheat and beans. The fact that just areas for wildlife from which species can
We care for some of the best of 11 years later, the first crane chick in expand when conditions are suitable.
Lincolnshire’s hay meadows and ancient Lincolnshire for 400 years was born is During the year, the Wildlife Trusts
bluebell woodlands. These habitats remarkable and shows how nature can launched the 30 by 30 campaign calling
have been managed in the same way for recover if given a chance. The three birds for at least 30% of our land and sea to
centuries. In order to maintain the rich continued to use the reserve as a roost be connected and protected for nature’s
diversity of wildlife, we continue some site until October, whilst feeding in the recovery by 2030.
of the same management principles agricultural fields nearby.
and continued to do so throughout Willow Tree Fen was re-opened Beyond the nature reserves
the pandemic. Hay crops were taken, once the cranes had left for the Lincolnshire is an agricultural county
woodland thinned and coppiced and winter, enabling some much-needed and we have worked with landowners
sheep, cattle and ponies grazed many management work to be completed. and farmers for many years and
of our sites – helping to manage the We’re happy to report that all three birds continued to do so over the past year.
vegetation for a range of different returned in late January 2021. However, we need to do more to move
species. We would like to take this At Far Ings National Nature Reserve, towards the ambitious goal of 30%. The
opportunity to thank the many people, major management of the reedbeds over Government will soon be introducing
new Environmental Land Management
Schemes which will replace the current
agri-environment schemes. The aim
will be to pay farmers for delivering
services for the public good – such as
improved access, water and soil quality
and greater biodiversity. The Trust are
at the forefront of helping to shape this
work and during the year were awarded
two trial schemes that will help steer this
new policy.
During the year, our conservation team
continued to work across the county,
responding to threats to wildlife and
working with various partners to deliver
on the ground conservation. A key part
of this is offering practical advice – for
RUTH TAYLOR
example, we delivered virtual training
packages on wildlife friendly farming
and water management to farmers who
Despite a booking system being put in place to manage numbers of visitors, grow vegetables for Birds Eye.
the Seal Viewing Area at Donna Nook had to be closed when restrictions The Environment Agency’s State
were reintroduced, disappointing the many visitors normally attracted to of our Rivers report, published in
this annual event. September, presented a shocking picture
“26,000 of you support
ORANGE TIP ON CUCKOO FLOWER: ROSS HODDINOTT/2020VISION
us as members. We
couldn’t have done any
of this without you.
Thank you for believing
in and supporting the
Lincolnshire Wildlife
Trust.”
Paul Learoyd, Chief Executive
of England’s watercourses. All rivers are
A heartfelt thank you to our corporate
at the mercy of whatever happens in members, funders and partners
their catchment and we are taking action CORPORATE MEMBERS Rowhire Limited Lincolnshire County
to improve the state of Lincolnshire’s Anglian Water Services SCS Technology Solutions Council
rivers. This included hosting two of B A Bush & Son Limited Limited Lincolnshire Co-operative
the Environment Agency’s Catchment Cleethorpes Builders Sibelco UK Society Limited
Partnerships in the Ancholme Valley and the Merchants Singleton Birch Limited Ministry of Defence
Northern Becks, and working closely with Cray Valley Limited Truelove Property & National Grid
Creative Nature Construction National Lottery Heritage
the Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project.
Crowder & Sons Ltd Yara (UK) Limited Fund
Working in partnership is key to delivering Fenland Laundries Wienerberger Limited Natural England
more for nature and we were excited to Limited Woodhall Country Park North Kesteven District
work with our colleagues at the Yorkshire Holivans Limited Council
Wildlife Trust on a successful bid to trial J E Piccaver & Co DONORS, SPONSORS North Lincolnshire
the re-introduction of seagrass and oysters J W Ruddock & Sons AND GRANT AID Council
which once thrived in the Humber estuary. Limited Anglian Water Services People’s Postcode Lottery
John Kinch Group Baston Parish Council RSPB
It was disappointing that despite protests
Lindum Group Limited Defra RSWT
and many of you supporting our campaign, Mortons of Horncastle East Lindsey District SSE
a badger cull in Lincolnshire was approved. Limited Council Vine House Farm
We are particularly concerned about the Natureland Seal Environment Agency Wildlife Trust
quality of data used to make the decision Sanctuary Esmée Fairburn for Bedfordshire,
and continue to work with regional and North East Lindsey Foundation Cambridgeshire and
Drainage Board European Union Northamptonshire
national colleagues to overturn this decision.
Page Paper Limited HMRC Coronavirus Job
Riva Construction Retention Scheme
Connecting people and nature
Whilst we were not able to deliver the
usual suite of engagement with the public,
Remembering Lincolnshire’s wildlife
We are extremely grateful for the generosity of those supporters who
we put a great deal of time and effort into
choose to leave a gift for wildlife in their Will. We are honoured to record
online activities and helping people to enjoy
our appreciation to the following individuals whose legacies we received or
nature close to home. Throughout the year,
were notified of in the year ended 31 March 2021.
visitors to our website and followers on our
social media increased markedly. Sharing Neville Geoffrey Arthurs Ethel Mary Cockerill
experiences of nature, sightings and records Edward Backus Julian Robert Hill
of wildlife lifted our spirits. Thank you to Derek Barnett Margaret Annie Medland
everyone who joined us on social media and Julie Bilton Helen Margaret Outram
shared your wildlife photos and experiences. Eileen Mabel Briggs Alan George Riseborough
As the lockdown lifted, staff ensured a Lord Martin Hugh Broadbridge Kathleen Smith
regular presence on our main visitor sites Phyllis Jean Bruning Sylvia May Smith
to help people to enjoy the reserves Derek Alwyn Clay Winifred Margaret Spilman.
PHOTOGRAPHY
LIANNE
JON HAWKINS/SURREY HILLS DE MELLO
responsibly and engage with what was often Protecting and managing wild places
a new audience. We are hopeful that the
3,877 280,000
experiences of lockdown have given many
people a greater appreciation of the value
of local green space and the provision this is
something we will continue to push for.
hectares of Lincolnshire’s finest people visited Whisby Nature Park
Volunteers have always been at the heart
countryside were protected and an increase of 15% on the previous
of everything we do – from helping on our
managed as Lincolnshire Wildlife year despite effective closure
nature reserves, to running at events, Watch
Groups and in our visitor centres and even Trust nature reserves. during the month of April.
serving on the Board of Trustees. Nothing
in the Trust would be possible without our
1,500+ 2,214
volunteers. This year, for the first time ever,
the role of volunteers had to be reduced. Our
Area Groups are a hugely important link
between the Trust and our supporters and hours were spent by volunteers grey seal pups were born at Donna
sadly, every Group’s programme of events watching over the cranes at Nook National Nature Reserve.
had to be put on hold whilst we followed Willow Tree Fen to ensure that Despite the site’s closure, wardens
the Government’s guidance on tackling they were free from disturbance. remained on duty with some
Coronavirus. Gradually we hope things volunteer support.
will return to normality and the Trust is
10 million+ 62
committed to helping our volunteers, in
whatever way they were involved, to resume
their involvement as things hopefully return
to normal. records of 13,273 individual flowering spikes of marsh gentian
2020/21 will be regarded as one of the species have been logged on the were recorded at Scotton Common
most challenging in the history of the Trust. Lincolnshire Environmental nature reserve – the only place in
At one point around a third of staff were
Records Centre database. Lincolnshire where this flower
on furlough and our capacity to deliver
occurs.
41
was much reduced. Nevertheless, wildlife
thrived on our reserves, people made new
2,000+
connections to the natural world on their
doorstep and we continued to stand up for
nature across the county. hours were spent by seven
volunteers watching the sea for
whales and dolphins over one species of invertebrates have been
weekend in August. Nine harbour recorded on Trust reserves over
porpoises were seen. the last decade.Financial summary
When the pandemic began in March Income
2020, the board immediately reviewed
the finances with the aim of reducing
Investment £144,662 Nature reserves
the forecast budget deficit and to
£823,799
ensure that our cashflow was carefully Merchandising £10,039
managed.
As with many businesses and charities, Legacies £340,885
Government assistance during the
pandemic helped the Trust during this
difficult time. Several Retail, Hospitality
and Leisure grants were received during
the year along with support from the Subscriptions,
£2.8 million Wider countryside
conservation
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. donations £353,322
The Trust also took advantage of the and gift aid
opportunity to take out a Coronavirus £816,083
Business Interruption Loan.
With the cessation of so many
activities, our income was significantly
affected. Lockdown restrictions lead to Other £70,603 Inspiring people £262,912
the closure of the Trust’s visitor centres,
curtailing catering and retail activity. In
addition, all educational visits and public
events were cancelled, including at the
normally popular Donna Nook. Expenditure
Unrestricted income fell by 25% from
£2.6 million to £2.0 million, primarily as Merchandising £7,589 Nature reserve
a result of a reduction in unrestricted management
legacy income which was £341,000 Generating £1,282,669
subscriptions
compared to £881,000 in 2020. Proactive
and donations
membership recruitment was also not £64,352
possible for most of the year which
meant that membership at the
year-end fell by 6% to 25,971 members. Inspiring people
The result was a fall in total income from
£878,059 £2.9 million
£3.5 million to £2.8 million.
Despite all of this, the Trust ended the
year with an overall surplus of £720,000
compared to £387,000 last year. The
financial support and actions outlined Wider countryside
above made a significant difference conservation
but the year-end position was in large £666,195
part, due to a rise in the value of the
Trust’s unrestricted investments. These
increased by £675,000, reversing the
loss of £270,000 seen at the end of the
last financial year at a time when the Summary of our income and expenditure for the
pandemic was first having an impact. year ending 31 March 2021.
Through careful stewardship, the Full details can be found in our audited Annual Report
Trust ended 2020/21 having weathered and Financial Statements at lincstrust.org.uk/publications
many of the financial challenges that the
pandemic presented.
Thank you for your supportJAMIE HALL Building a better future Looking ahead to putting the biodiversity and climate crises at the heart of Lincolnshire’s recovery from the pandemic. The reality is that our work will continue more space for wildlife to thrive. of the pandemic, we will be gearing up to be influenced by the impact and We have already saved land and to lead the way to nature’s recovery in response to the pandemic. But we rescued habitats, enabling them to Lincolnshire. There will once again be must also play our role in tackling the keep on capturing carbon rather than opportunities for people to volunteer and biodiversity and climate crises. releasing it into the atmosphere. We have we will reinvigorate our programme of Clearly there is much to do but there created nature reserves that also help events, activities and educational visits, is also much to be gained. We believe to store water, thus reducing the risk of helping everyone connect with wildlife that the ambition and determination flooding. We have helped species that and empowering all to take action. that saw the Trust through its first were once lost from Lincolnshire, such as Thank you for your support and seventy years, can see us through the bitterns and otters, to return. for being part of nature’s recovery in next critical years to a wilder future with As we come out of the restrictions Lincolnshire. Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Banovallum House, Manor House Street, Horncastle, Lincolnshire LN9 5HF | 01507 526667 | info@lincstrust.co.uk | Registered charity no. 218895 PRESIDENTS: SENIOR STAFF: Geoff Trinder (President) Kitty Hamilton (appointed 24.10.20) Chief Executive & Company Secretary: Paul Learoyd Brian Tear (Vice President) Janet Mellor Head of Conservation: Tammy Smalley TRUSTEES/DIRECTORS: Robert Oates Head of Finance: Sarah J Smith David Cohen (Chair) Stef Round Head of Nature Reserves: David Bromwich Anita Quigley (Deputy Chair) Tim Sands Head of Public Engagement & Communications: Matthew Capper Julian Purvis (Honorary Treasurer) David Sheppard Michael Burgass (appointed 24.10.20) Cathy Sirett (appointed 24.10.20) Emma Buyers (appointed 24.10.20) Mark Smith Grace Corn (appointed 24.10.20) Beth Tyrrel www.lincstrust.org.uk
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