Take Action for Nature: Free Wilder Community Champions Training
By Polly Kitson
Head of Wilder Communities
Do you want to care for a local outdoor space with others in your community? Or are you keen to support or organise a campaign for nature?
Wilder Community Champions training could be for you.
Our Wilder Communities team at Sussex Wildlife Trust supports and advises local groups. We know there's a huge appetite for taking more action for nature, all across Sussex. That's why we're about to start providing free training programmes, designed to support more adults and community groups to take meaningful steps for wildlife and wild places.
We aim to build confidence, share practical skills, and connect like-minded people who are ready to make a difference. You don’t need any prior experience - just a love for nature and a desire to help it thrive.
Want to find out more?
Join us for our launch webinar - a relaxed and informative session where you can find out more about the training, ask questions, and meet the team.
Weds 24 September 2025
6.30 - 7.15pm
Online (Zoom)
Sign up for the introduction to Wilder Community Champions
There’s no obligation to sign up for the training programme; it’s simply a chance to explore whether this opportunity is right for you.
Please note: the Wilder Community Champions training is currently suitable for over-18s. If you are under 18 you may be interested in our Youth Action opportunities.
Comments
I run a local Nature Recovery Network group. We have successfully raised funds to install barn owl and little owl nesting boxes in a 5 mile corridor. We are now campaigning for dark skies, with the aim of being certified as an international dark sky community
04 Sep 2025 10:42:00
I have been maintaining the churchyard at South Malling, Lewes for 18 years. I took part in the Down Town, Lewes project back in 2012/2013 with Michael Blencowe. Following advice given, I continue to work with nature (wild flowers & wildlife). I now have a small group of volunteers who assist. Our churchyard is now a beautiful wildlife haven & much admired by the local community.
04 Sep 2025 10:51:00
Hi, I am now old and disabled but very much in contact with East Chiltington, Plumption and St. John Without residents. A couple of years ago I managed to get the verge opposite my house designated as a wildlife verge. So your wilder community champions training might be of use to me.
04 Sep 2025 12:25:00
I would like to do this but cannot make 6.30pm. Will it be recorded please?
04 Sep 2025 16:52:00
Sussex Wildlife Trust:
If you sign up, we will send out the recording after the event
Intro to Wilder Community Champions
04 Sep 2025 18:24:00
I am part of a local group Seaford Action For Nature so this looks right up my street!
05 Sep 2025 06:29:00
I am part of a local nature conservation group
05 Sep 2025 06:30:00
I am on holiday on 24th so may not be able to attend, I have signed up though! Will you be running more sessions as I would love to get more involved in restoring the natural world. Thank you Kristina 🙏
05 Sep 2025 08:22:00
Sussex Wildlife Trust:
If you sign up, we will send out the recording after the event
we are a Friends group aimed at recovery of our local river SSSI protecting saltmarsh and intertidal mud for migratory birds – it is designated unfavourable and in decline. I am keen to grow my knowledge and skills for this work
06 Sep 2025 08:26:00
Interested in joining this.
07 Sep 2025 15:50:00
Sussex Wildlife Trust:
Great. Please do sign up for the zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/webina...
I am away for the webinar but would like to learn more about this opportunity
08 Sep 2025 08:39:00
Sussex Wildlife Trust:
Hi Virginia, you can find out more and register interest in the training via these pages:
Become a Wilder Community Champion
Very fortunate to own an 11 acre patch of unimproved grassland in the wider ‘National Character Area’ of the High Weald.
Since buying the land, have unintentionally become obsessed with creating/restoring species rich grassland.. Weald Meadows Partnership, and Colin Reader have helped point us further in the right direction.. Lots of seed collected and some good species added to the site already. Have even managed to source some UK field cow wheat seed. Currently in a pot with grass host, awaiting spring..
Would be interested in the wilder community champion training, assisting with it, or in any opportunity to learn more and make further progress with grassland enhancement. Would be great to pass the ‘bug’ onto others.
(We have our own ryetec flail mower collector, hoping to get hay making kit sorted too – so we can manage our own grassland to improve species diversity, + assist others with their sites.)
08 Sep 2025 19:55:00
Sussex Wildlife Trust:
Thanks James. Please do sign up for the course.
Hi, I’m keen to attend this training, but am not available on 24th September for this intro session. Will there be other opportunities and whe will the training be? Thanks
15 Sep 2025 20:00:00
Sussex Wildlife Trust:
Hi Anna. Yes, the training itself will be ongoing, so plenty of opportunity to get involved with any of the champions roles that we are showcasing at the intro session/launch webinar. The initial webinar will be recorded, so you can watch back if you can't make the date. Keep an eye on this page from 26th Sept: Become a Wilder Community Champion | Sussex Wildlife Trust