Join Sussex Wildlife Trust

Harbour Seals © Claire Andrews

As a Sussex Wildlife Trust member, you’re part of an amazing 38,000-strong community that cares about nature in Sussex. The more of us there are, the bigger the difference we can make. Together we can create a Sussex where wildlife thrives.

Why become a member?

If you want to live in a Sussex rich in wildlife, where everyone can enjoy beautiful, wild spaces, then your wish and ours are the same. By becoming a member of Sussex Wildlife Trust, you’re working with us to create that vision.

Memberships give us a predictable income, which lets us can plan and sustain longer projects that can have a greater impact. Together we can make sure that everyone in Sussex can enjoy the sense of wonder and wellbeing that nature offers now and in the future.

Want to support at higher level? See Wildlife Guardians.

Join the Sussex Wildlife Trust today

Individual From £3.25 a month or £39 a year Joint From £3.75 a month or £45 a year Family (1 or 2 adults + up to 4 children u15) From £4.75 a month or £57 a year

10,000 + species

of plants, animals, birds, insects and invertebrates are found across our nature reserves in Sussex.

38,000 people

are members of Sussex Wildlife Trust. That’s a powerful community for change.

5,000 acres

of land are being restored and protected in our nature reserves across Sussex.

500 + volunteers

give their time and energy to nature in their community through projects and initiatives that we run.

How your membership makes a difference for nature

The more members we have, the more we can do to protect the Sussex countryside and coast. Memberships give us a regular income and help to build a Sussex-wide community of nature lovers.

Care for reserves

Take care of over 30 nature reserves across Sussex to create thriving spaces for wildlife where people can spend time in nature.

Protect wildlife

Protect endangered species like the Water Vole or Nightingale and collaborate on projects and initiatives to help nature recover and thrive on land and at sea.

Build wilder communities

Run community projects that give more people the chance to experience the joys of nature and create wilder spaces for themselves.

Defend nature

Campaign for policies and regulations that help nature recover and thrive, and challenge decisions and practices that cause harm.

Restore and rewild

Empower local communities and landowners to rewild spaces and help environments become more resilient to climate change.

Inspire people

Create opportunities for people of all ages to learn about nature, connect with it and be inspired to defend and care for wildlife in their communities.

Educate and train

Train and empower people to educate and inspire others to care for nature and take action to defend and support a wilder future for us all.

Gather evidence

Collect and analyse data about local wildlife so that we have evidence on the state of our ecosystems that we can use to defend and restore them.

What do you get when you join?

A membership card, sticker and bookmark
A copy of Discovering Wildlife in Sussex, a 128-page guide to local wildlife, nature activities and our reserves
Children receive a copy of Wild Watch magazine, filled with activities and fascinating nature facts, a local nature-spotting guide for children, stickers and posters

What other benefits are there?

Throughout the year you get:

Free guided nature walks for members only

Invitations to exclusive membership events

Discounts on courses and events run by wildlife experts

A copy of our our acclaimed magazine, Wild Sussex every 6 months (Children receive 4 copies of Wild Watch a year)

Ready to join now?

Joining has been one of the best things I have done this year and I’m so grateful for you. The work you do is so important and challenging and you manage to do that while at the same time giving members a really human experience…

Anonymous Feedback from members survey

Sussex Wildlife Trust is registered with the UK’s Fundraising Regulator.
We’re committed to the standards set by the Fundraising Regulator, and strive to be legal, open, clear, fair, honest and respectful in all our fundraising. Please contact us if you feel we have not lived up to our standards in any way.

FR Code of Fundraising Practice

Leave a legacy in your will

You can make a lasting contribution to local wildlife by leaving a gift to Sussex Wildlife Trust in your will. Your legacy can help create a Sussex rich in wildlife, valued and protected by everyone.

Make a gift in your will

Donate in memory of a loved one

If you want to make a personal donation in memory of someone you love, or to request donations instead of flowers at the memorial, you can do it online, or chat to us.

Give in memory

Contribute as a business

By joining the Trust as a business partner you can show your commitment to local communities and create opportunities for your staff to connect with nature.

Become a business partner

Bittern at Castle Water © Barry Yates

Become a Wildlife Guardian

Wildlife Guardians are a dedicated group of people who support us at a higher level and enjoy a closer involvement with Sussex Wildlife Trust. If you:

want to play a bigger role in safeguarding the future of our wildlife and habitats
enjoy the company of like-minded people at social events
would like to get closer to some of our rarer species and key projects

Talk to Georgie Nash about becoming a Wildlife Guardian. Call 01273 497525 or send a message via the form below.

Complete form to apply

FAQs

What types of membership do you have?

You can choose between the following membership types:

Individual: From £3.25 a month or £39 a year
Joint (2 adults): From £3.75 a month or £45 a year
Family (1 or 2 adults + up to 4 children u15): From £4.75 a month or £57 a year
Benefactor: From £15 a month or £180 a year
Lifetime: From £1,500

Why do you have membership?

Because we’re not just a charity, we’re a community of people who share a love of nature and a common purpose: defending and restoring it in Sussex. Membership provides a more consistent income to fund this work, while also enabling us as a community to share information and learning about what we all care about.

How much does membership cost?

Membership is based on a voluntary donation that you pay monthly or annually. However, there are minimum donations for each membership type to cover the cost of our magazines, free member events and maps. These are:

Individual: From £3.25 a month or £39 a year
Joint (2 adults): From £3.75 a month or £45 a year
Family (1 or 2 adults + up to 4 children u15): From £4.75 a month or £57 a year

How do I cancel my membership?

To cancel your membership, log into your Sussex Wildlife Trust account page, or contact the membership team on membership@sussexwt.org.uk or by calling 01273 497532.

What is Benefactor membership?

Any member donating more than £15 a month automatically becomes a Benefactor. If you’re Benefactor, you get a metal Sussex Wildlife Trust pin and are invited to our exclusive Benefactor event each year.

Testimonials

What members have to say

We run regular membership surveys to understand what our members value from being a part of the Sussex Wildlife Trust community.

The best thing you do is direct action and this is the most effective thing you can do. We have multiple threats to our land, rivers and to our overall biodiversity right now, and we need organisations like SWT to fight like hell to stop these threats

Anonymous