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Meet our new Chair of Trustees!

Dan Loveard

Hear from Beth Nicholson, the new Chair of Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, in her own words:

I have been aware of Warwickshire Wildlife Trust from childhood. This influenced my view of nature and drove a true passion in me for the natural world. I joined as a member more than eight years ago and display my membership sticker on my front door with pride.

I have always felt urgent action is needed to tackle the climate crisis and it now feels like more people are listening and more impact can be made

 

When the Trust’s magazine, Wild Warwickshire, featured an article inviting people to apply for trustee positions, I jumped at the chance. I have always felt urgent action is needed to tackle the climate crisis and it now feels like more people are listening and more impact can be made.

Deciding to focus my efforts with Warwickshire Wildlife Trust was easy. Everything I was reading about the Trust was about its energy, passion and about the huge impact it is having. I also learnt how respected it is across the region and sector. I just knew I needed to get involved.

One element of being Chair I’m really looking forward to is representing and promoting the Trust. I have always been drawn to making connections with people and now have the chance to influence others for a cause I care about. What could be better!

I feel incredibly lucky to be in this position and am delighted to have such a varied and skilled group of trustees to work alongside, including the previous Chair, Crishni, and CEO Ed.

What a wonderful charity this is. Founded more than 50 years ago and supported by the generous contributions of more than 26,000 motivated members in Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire, many of whom are also hard-working volunteers. It is truly an honour to volunteer alongside you.

Climate change is now more in focus for everyone, especially considering the extreme weather temperatures we have seen. It is no longer enough to recycle more and take fewer flights, we need to move outside our own social circles (as lovely as it is to talk to people who believe what we believe) and talk to others about the importance of our environment. We need to influence our parish councils, our schools and the places we work and everyone in between.

It is no longer enough to recycle more and take fewer flights, we need to move outside our own social circles

 

If we are going to encourage one in four people to take action for nature, we need to reach out to those who don’t currently share our views to find a way to make them feel motivated and empowered.

Beth Nicholson

Beth Nicholson 

The future is in our hands and it is hanging in the balance. It is a weighty responsibility, but it is still possible to make change happen and I don’t just mean by telling people about Warwickshire Wildlife Trust (although that would be nice, too). I mean talking about ecological issues, climate change, food systems and species decline. If we can weave in our passion and the value these things bring to our lives, we might find a way to make people feel connected and driven to protect the planet we call home. 

So, I think I am saying, awaken your inner activist and influence everyone you can! I believe you have a story just like mine and experiences in your life that have inspired you.

Remember how powerful they are to you, driving your love for nature, and try to create those moments for others. Our future depends on it.