Campaigning

‘How wildlife changed my life’ – a story writing competition

Durham Wildlife Trust is celebrating its 50th Anniversary and it wants you to share your wildlife stories.

We are looking for stories that share your love of wildlife Entries will be judged by a Durham Wildlife Trust panel and how nature has shaped, or even changed your life. and the winning entry will be printed in the next edition of It could be heartwarming and funny, or perhaps you have Wildlife Durham. The winner and two runners up will also found solace in nature at a difficult time. Maybe you met be featured on the Trust website. The winning author will your soul-mate in a bird hide, or stood, stunned, watching receive a £50 book token, and the two runners up £25 book a natural spectacle. Whatever your story is, we would tokens. The prize winners will also receive a coveted ‘golden’ love you to share it. Durham Wildlife Trust pin badge! We would like stories from members of all ages, so please Closing date for entries is 31st January 2021. let us know your name and age in your submission. Stories must be submitted electronically to stories@durhamwt.co.uk. They should be no longer than 500 words. Good luck!

Our Stories

Take inspiration for your story from hearing what it means to some of our supporters to be part of Durham Wildlife Trust.

Ian

As a long-term member of the Trust, Ian’s fondness of Rainton Meadows Nature Reserve has taken him from regularly attends Durham Wildlife Trust events.

With five years of volunteering for the Trust, Paul engages in a variety Help write the next chapter for wildlife

Thank you for your unwavering support and commitment to our small, but mighty, charity.

If you are able to, please consider increasing your regular contribution to Durham Wildlife Trust. It costs us around £7 per acre per month to manage our nature reserves. Picture your favourite place or your favourite animal safe and protected. Could you support an acre for wildlife? How many acres could you support? recreational walks to a new-found hobby in birdwatching. “I find that the programme of events that Rainton Meadows and Durham Wildlife Trust offer, is vast, and really interesting. Because the people who run the courses are knowledgeable, I just find that it has a positive impact

A 7-year-old budding environmentalist with a passion for all things wildlife, Matthew is a family member and “The ponds have a lot of interesting animals in and there are plenty of frogs hopping around!”Matthew

Paul

As long-term members, Chris and Mike are active Trust supporters and regular visitors to Low Barns Nature Reserve. Chris: “I love it when you are walking around the reserve and you suddenly come across a group of kids from primary school who are counting bugs and getting excited! I think that is an important part of what the Wildlife Trust does.” on people.”

of practical conservation tasks on a weekly basis.

Mike: “I think the work that the Wildlife Trust does in conserving and creating habitats for wildlife, and joining up wildlife reserves with corridors that wildlife can move through, is just so important these days”

You can watch our supporters tell their full stories online:

durhamwt.com/stories

Paul talks about the future for Durham Wildlife Trust and its 50th-year campaign. “The scope of what the Trust does is increasing, and to maintain the reserves, volunteer numbers and membership

Chris

Mike

need to increase too.”

For an informal chat about membership, donations, or other gifts to the Trust, please contact Emily on 0191 584 3112 or email membership@durhamwt.co.uk.