Celebrating a "Golden" Era for Kent's Wildlife
2008 sees the 50th anniversary of Kent Wildlife Trust and an ambitious programme of events has been planned to mark the occasion.
Threats to the Kent countryside were recognised as long ago as 1958, when a number of influential personalities came together and proposed the formation of a wildlife conservation body to protect wildlife habitats.
At a public meeting in Maidstone Boys' Grammar School on 3rd May 1958, some 400 people unanimously agreed to pledge their support for the formation of a conservation body in Kent. From this the Kent Naturalists' Trust was formed.
Now, 50 years on, Kent Wildlife Trust - as it is known today - has become the largest conservation organisation in Kent, managing five visitor centres, 59 nature reserves covering 7,500 acres, and a membership, staff and volunteer base totalling 30,000.
This year, the Trust is honoured to have actress, Joanna Lumley, as its patron for the 50th Anniversary. Joanna said:
I am proud and delighted to support Kent Wildlife Trust as its patron in this its 50th year...the progress and achievements the Trust has made over the years are hugely impressive; but now more than ever, with increasing threats to this beautiful county, we need to lend our support to this most deserving cause and help protect Kent's precious wildlife.
Chairman of Kent Wildlife Trust, Fidelity Weston, said:
By way of a thank you to our many loyal supporters and to celebrate this significant milestone in the Trust's history, we are organising a programme of exciting free family events at our visitor centres and key nature reserves throughout the year.
