Surrey Wildlife Trust

Surrey Wildlife Trust Surrey Wildlife Trust is a wildlife charity and is one of 46 Wildlife Trusts working across the UK.

With the invaluable support of volunteers and members we care for over 5,000ha of land for wildlife in Surrey across 60 reserves. We also work with other organisations and landowners to extend, protect and connect habitats for wildlife across the county and to inspire local communities and young people to care for nature where they live.

28/09/2026

🌰 In the UK you will find two main types of chestnut on the ground in autumn.

🗺️ Conkers are the seeds of the European Horse-chestnut, which is an ornamental tree introduced from the Balkans in the 16th Century. Sweet Chestnuts are the nuts of the Sweet Chestnut tree, which was introduced by the Romans for its edible nuts and versatile timber.

🤮 Conkers contain a poisonous chemical called aesculin, so cannot be eaten by humans or most animals, including horses, from which the tree gets its name. However, some species such as deer and squirrels eat them.

😋 Sweet Chestnuts may look superficially similar to Conkers, but their shell is much more prickly and the nuts tend to be more flattened and triangular. Unlike Conkers, they are edible and are often roasted as a winter treat.

🌊 Happy ! 🌿🎉 Today we celebrate the rivers that shape our landscapes, support wildlife, provide drinking water, connect...
27/09/2026

🌊 Happy ! 🌿

🎉 Today we celebrate the rivers that shape our landscapes, support wildlife, provide drinking water, connect communities and give us places to walk, explore and enjoy nature.

⚠️ But here in the UK, our rivers need our help

❤️‍🩹 Only 15% of English rivers are in good ecological health, with issues such as pollution, sewage, excess nutrients and invasive species all negatively impacting our waterways.

💪 There are reasons for hope too. Organisations across the country, including here in Surrey, are working hard to restore our rivers, often with the help of dedicated volunteers who give their time to make a difference.

💙 This World Rivers Day, let's celebrate our rivers — and keep pushing for the investment, protection and care they need to thrive.

🩵 How to help rivers at home.🐟 It's on the 27th September, so this week we're focusing on Surrey's waterways and how w...
26/09/2026

🩵 How to help rivers at home.

🐟 It's on the 27th September, so this week we're focusing on Surrey's waterways and how we can help them.

🪣 Install a water butt
An average garden water butt saves around 200-1000lt of water per year.

🚰 Save water
Don't run the water when you clean your teeth, install a water-saving flush and fix dripping taps.

🫧 Use eco-cleaning products
Some of the cleaning products we wash away are harmful to aquatic wildlife. Swap for eco-alternatives.

Learn more about how you can help our rivers ➡️ https://bit.ly/3UU2MMx

25/09/2026

⚠️ 🌸 The UK's prettiest invasive species is causing mountains of trouble for our waterways.

It's on the 27th September, so this week we're focusing on Surrey's waterways and how we can help them.

Himalayan Balsam was introduced as a garden plant in 1839, but soon escaped and became widely naturalised along riverbanks and ditches. Fast growing, it can completely take over an area quickly, meaning that it out-competes our native plants for light, nutrients, pollinators and space.

Each plant can produce up to 500 seeds from explosive pods, which fling them up to seven metres. The seeds usually end up in the river, getting washed downstream to spread this problem plant ever further.

Although it’s unlikely we will ever fully eradicate Himalayan Balsam in Surrey, we remove it on our nature reserves and in other locations through partnership working, usually with the help of volunteers. Whilst the plant's shallow roots contribute to riverbank erosion, it does make it very easy to pull by hand.

Learn more about how to volunteer on your local river and more way to help our waterways ➡️ https://bit.ly/3UU2MMx

24/09/2026

Final stretch: the Basingstoke Canal 💧

🗺️ As Catherine approaches our headquarters in Pirbright, she’s following this important green corridor, which provides food, shelter and a route through the landscape for all kinds of wildlife.

It’s been a long and inspiring journey! Clocking in at 122.42km, Catherine has almost reached the final stop! Thank you to everyone who has supported Catherine so far 💚

You can still support her Big Walk for Wildlife ➡️ https://www.justgiving.com/page/bigwildwalkfornature

If you feel inspired to take your own challenge, head to our website to find out more about raising funds for Surrey's wildlife.



Image credits:
Kingfisher, Jon Hawkins
Damselfly, Macro.Paul
Geat Crested Grebe, Andrew Parkinson/2020VISION

24/09/2026

🥾 Next stop: Cockcrow Bridge

🌸 At 108.42km into her Big Walk for Wildlife, Catherine has reached the UK’s first lowland heathland bridge, connecting Wisley and Ockham Commons.

🐍 The bridge is helping wildlife such as Adders and Sand Lizards move safely through the landscape, with Foxes and Badgers already spotted using it too!

💚 Support Catherine’s Big Walk for Wildlife ➡️ https://bit.ly/4iEJ3u3



Image credits:
Sand Lizard, Vaughn Matthews
Tiger Beetle, John Bridges
Grass Snake, Russell Savory
Cockcrow Bridge, Rob J Follett

24/09/2026

🥾 It's day two of Deputy CEO Catherine's Big Walk for Wildlife. Walking just over 64km yesterday...

📍 Next stop: Reigate Hill

Catherine has reached the chalk grasslands of the North Downs, one of the UK’s rarest and most biodiverse habitats.

🌸 Just one square metre of well-managed chalk grassland can support up to 40 plant species, creating food and shelter for a huge variety of wildlife, including rare bees, butterflies and beetles.

💚 Please support Catherine’s Big Walk for Wildlife ➡️ https://bit.ly/4iEJ3u3

23/09/2026

💚 Clearing the Wey for nature's recovery.

It's on the 27th September, so this week we're focusing on Surrey's waterways and how we can help them.

This week volunteers worked to clear litter from a stretch of the River Wey in Farnham. We found an astounding range of rubbish over a few hundred meters, including a trolley, truck tyre, traffic cones, and even a child's dress-up space helmet!

💪 You can help too! Join your local river restoration group, add your voice to campaigns championing healthy rivers, and take action at home to reduce your personal impact on water quality and pollution.

Find out more ➡️ https://bit.ly/3UU2MMx

23/09/2026

Next stop: Nower Wood reserve 🌳

🥾 Next up on her mammoth 130km hike across Surrey, Catherine is stopping off at our semi-ancient woodland reserve and education centre, where hundreds of children get the chance to explore nature, learn outdoors and discover Surrey's amazing wildlife.

🐸 The ponds and ancient woodland here are also home to some fantastic wildlife, including Dragonflies, Grass Snakes and the magnificent Great Crested Newt.

Support Catherine’s Big Walk ➡️ https://bit.ly/4iEJ3u3

23/09/2026

🥾 Deputy CEO Catherine's 80 mile Big Walk for Wildlife is underway!

🗺️ 11.16km in, Catherine has reached Newlands Corner, with its magnificent views and ancient veteran Yew trees.

🌳 Our friends at the Albury Estate have been doing splendid work to help these incredible trees thrive. Some Yews can live for more than 1,000 years, with exceptional examples reaching 5,000! They're also a favourite habitat for two of our smallest birds, Goldcrests and Firecrests.

💚 Support Catherine's Big Walk ➡️ https://bit.ly/4iEJ3u3

Address

Surrey Wildlife Trust, School Lane, Pirbright
Woking
GU240JN

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+441483795440

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Surrey Wildlife Trust posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organisation

Send a message to Surrey Wildlife Trust:

Shortcuts

Share

Category