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New Chief Executive for the UK’s fastest growing wildlife charity

7th April, 2004

In a move symbolic of its modernisation, The Wildlife Trusts partnership has just appointed its first woman and youngest ever Chief Executive. Stephanie Hilborne, age 36, moves to head the organisation from her previous position as Director of Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust. Stephanie’s appointment reflects The Wildlife Trusts’ new progressive approach, ensuring that the partnership is ready to face the challenges for wildlife conservation in the 21st century.

Stephanie Hilborne, who starts her new position on 1 June 2004 comments:

“I am delighted to be taking on such a key position in this exciting and dynamic movement, and will ensure that The Wildlife Trusts continue to play a crucial role in UK decision making. British wildlife is facing more threats than ever before, from climate change to increasing development, but there are also opportunities to put wildlife back on the map on a large scale. I look forward to helping The Wildlife Trusts capitalise on those opportunities and ensure a better future for wildlife and people.”

With over 560,000 members and 2,500 nature reserves, The Wildlife Trusts network is the fastest growing UK wildlife organisation. It is the only charity exclusively dedicated to promoting and protecting all forms of British wildlife – from bugs to basking sharks, and marine habitats to ancient woodlands - as well as working closely with people from all sectors of society.

The partnership is a highly professional and inclusive community-based organisation with major achievements under its belt. As well as managing its reserves, the partnership is also involved in imaginative urban regeneration schemes, large scale wetland restoration projects, plus farming and rural enterprises. It has a strong campaigning and lobbying focus, with work such as its high profile campaign to save dolphins (endangered from current fishing practices) and provides advice to planners and landowners, to help save species like the fast disappearing water vole.

The quality of the natural environment is now recognised by the Government and its agencies as being critical to the social and economic prosperity of the UK, not least for its contribution to health improvements and the tourist economy. The Wildlife Trusts partnership plays a major part through caring for its diverse network of reserves, as well as running green tourism initiatives, wildlife gardening projects and hundreds of other activities accessible to thousands of people every year.

The Wildlife Trusts’ President David Bellamy OBE says:

“The Wildlife Trusts are a leading force in the wildlife movement. They have more direct contact with people than any other comparable charity and deliver benefits on the ground that reach people from all walks of life. I am proud to be their President and confident that this appointment begins a new era in The Wildlife Trusts’ history. Real live natural history!”

Story by Nicola Strazzullo

More Information

Nicola Strazzullo (PR Officer)
The Wildlife Trusts UK Office
The Kiln
Waterside
Mather Road
Newark
Nottingham
NG24 1WT
Direct line tel: 01636 670082
Mobile/Out of hours tel: 07887 754 659
Email: press@wildlife-trusts.cix.co.uk
Reception: 01636 677711

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