Record £2.8million Tubney grant awarded to The Wildlife Trusts
Wednesday 24th November 2010
The realisation of a vision to restore the natural environment takes a step forward today as The Wildlife Trusts are awarded £2.8million – the largest ever grant awarded by The Tubney Charitable Trust.
The Tubney Charitable Trust has committed the funds over five years towards The Wildlife Trusts’ 50 year vision for A Living Landscape and on the same day that Simon King OBE – renowned wildlife programme-maker, cameraman, photographer and presenter – is to be appointed as its President. At 47 years old, King will be the youngest President in the organisation’s 98 year history.
In 2008, The Wildlife Trusts celebrated 112 Living Landscape schemes with almost one fifth having benefited from funding from The Tubney Charitable Trust. Each scheme is playing its own part in securing a healthy natural environment for generations to come but more funding will be needed. The Wildlife Trusts are looking for further support and complementary funding to ensure this work can continue.
René Olivieri, Chair of The Tubney Charitable Trust, said:
“The evidence is clear: biodiversity in the UK is declining at an alarming rate. We must find ways of stopping these losses before it is too late. Perhaps the most worrying declines have been amongst once common or widespread species and these can only be addressed through landscape-scale action, linking and improving habitats across a wide area. The Wildlife Trusts are providing the strategy and pragmatic solutions to make this happen and The Tubney Charitable Trust is proud to support this visionary initiative.
“We believe The Wildlife Trusts can provide the leadership and practical advice to inform public policy and guide local action. Only through coordinated action at all levels and between all those with a stake in the countryside, our towns and cities too, can we improve habitats and safeguard our precious, unique biodiversity.”
Stephanie Hilborne OBE, The Wildlife Trusts’ chief executive, said:
“We are entering the beginning of a new era. This funding will help us lead the way in the recovery of the natural environment with communities at its heart. It is a major contribution towards the next stage in our vision for A Living Landscape and will help to lay strong foundations for the long-term future of the movement. The voluntary sector has a key leadership role to play in society. We continue to attract inspirational people to the movement: staff, volunteers, trustees and ambassadors alike.”
As President Simon King follows in the illustrious paths of Professor Aubrey Manning, Professor David Bellamy and Sir David Attenborough. King was appointed as a Vice President of The Wildlife Trusts in 2008. He is also President of Avon Wildlife Trust and Patron of Somerset Wildlife Trust.
Story by RSWT