Protecting and restoring nature is a team effort, with local communities often leading the way. That’s why Sussex Wildlife Trust works alongside communities to build genuine, lasting connections with the wild places on our doorsteps.

We’re so inspired by the actions the local community have been taking for nature at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve. Here’s what they’ve been doing recently:

Rye Youth Rangers all worked hard to help facilitate the People’s Emergency Briefing screening. They welcomed attendees, supported guests and spoke in front of the audience. Fifty people attended in total, with lots of great discussions and hopeful outcomes. Thanks to the screening, Rye town councillor Sue Learoyd Smith has now been invited to set up a local community action group for Rye.

Peoples Emergency Briefing © Arthur SlomanPeople’s Emergency Briefing © Arthur Sloman

Thanks to a donation from Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, we’re now able to fund transport for six schools to visit Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, helping primary-aged school children with a high percentage of free school meals to experience nature and have a memorable day out.

‘Explore The Arch’ collaborated with SWT on a supported visit to RHNR for residents of the Four Courts housing estate in St Leonards. Transport was provided and Sussex Wildlife Trust Wilder Communities Officer James Duncan led the group on a wildlife walk.

We held five Microscope Mondays during the summer holidays this year. Our Marine Week themed event had the highest attendance to date, with 119 adults and children. Thanks to people signing up to become education volunteers, we ran one event entirely using education volunteers without staff support, meaning more opportunities for children to interact with nature.

If you’d like to join them in taking action for nature, visit our volunteering opportunities webpage.

Microscope Monday © Aimi RifatMicroscope Monday © Aimi Rifat