Charities

The following are organisations that actively I support. Each one carries out vital work in wildlife conservation and education.

Young People’s Trust for the Environment - President

Creating a better future by inspiring young people to look after our world

The Young People’s Trust for the Environment (YPTE) is a charity that aims to inspire young people to learn the environment and the need for sustainability. It is vital that they have an understanding of today’s environmental problems before they become tomorrow’s adults. Equipped with this knowledge, they could provide future answers to today’s challenges - tackling climate change and reducing reliance on carbon-based energy, for example.

We provide our services free of charge to schools and young people and depend on sponsorships from businesses and grants from charitable trusts for our existence. We are immensely grateful to Steve and our other Presidents for their support. To find out more about the services YPTE offers, please visit their website.

Website: ypte.org.uk

buglife - Vice President

Buglife is the only organisation in Europe devoted to the conservation of all invertebrates, and we are actively working to save Britain’s rarest little animals, everything from bees to beetles, worms to woodlice and jumping spiders to jellyfish. Invertebrates are amazing animals and the health of the planet is dependent upon them - the food we eat, the fish we catch, the birds we see, the flowers we smell and the hum of life we hear, simply would not exist without bugs.

Today, thousands of invertebrate species are declining and many are heading towards extinction. World wide 150,000 species could be gone by 2050 if we do nothing. Each invertebrate species plays a critically important role in the web of life. Once lost, they cannot be replaced. Many invertebrates have incredible life stories yet to be told, and we literally don't know what we are on the brink of losing. Buglife takes action to conserve bugs and their habitats, and to raise awareness of just how vital these animals are – they truly are the small things that run the world!

Website: buglife.org.uk

BBOWT (Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust) - Vice President

The Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) is one of 47 county-based Wildlife Trusts working across the UK, Isle of Man and Alderney to achieve the shared aim of securing a better future for wildlife.

BBOWT was established in 1959 by passionate local people who could see the harm being done to the wonderfully rich wildlife of the three counties. We are now the largest and most influential voluntary conservation organisation in the region concerned with all aspects of nature conservation. To date BBOWT manages 80 nature reserves, has 1,300 volunteers and over 50,000 members. Our vision is to create a region rich in wildlife and appreciated by all.

Website: bbowt.org.uk

Exotic Pet Refuge - Patron

The Exotic Pet Refuge is a non profit making charity that was set up in the early 80's to care for unwanted and abandoned exotic animals. started in a small family house by Pam Mansfield and the late Mel Mansfield, the need for the refuge to take on more and more unwanted animals soon lead to their move to the 4 acre site in deeping nr peterborough. now the refuge houses over 300 animals of species varying from monkeys and lynx to owls and otters. and is run by pam, her son darren and a few loyal volunteers we would be lost without

The refuge is only open to the public 6 days of the year, as to open longer we would need a zoo licence, and we choose to spend all the money we raise on the animals. we rely on the generosity of the public on our open days and our volunteers who fund raise for us throughout the year, to provide the £45'000 it costs to run the refuge.

The animals that are handed in to us come from all different walks of life, some are pets that people get bored of, some are abused and confiscated. some come from people who underestimate the commitment they have taken on. we occasionally get asked to take animals that are retiring from zoo life and ones that may otherwise be euthanized due to social behavioural problems.

Website: exoticpetrefuge.org.uk

LONDON WILDCARE TRUST - Patron

The London Wildcare Trust was founded in 1994 after an injured swift was discovered on the doorstep of a suburban home in South West London. Unable to find anyone to help the bird, our founder abandoned a law degree and set about creating a refuge for other animals in the same situation. Sixteen years later, the Trust now operates one of the largest professional wildlife rescue, care and rehabilitation centres in the UK, with almost 4000 sick, injured and orphaned wild animals arriving every year.

The Trust also provides emergency assistance to pet animals in immediate danger, gets involved in hands-on conservation projects and has an active education programme which sees school children and kids groups visiting to learn about everything from wildlife habitats to pet care. Please visit our website at www.londonwildcare.org to learn more about our work.

Website: londonwildcaretrust.co.uk

Colliers Green Focus - Ambassador

Colliers Green Focus is an innovative project that supports the Geography curriculum in secondary schools by encouraging young people to discover and capture a 'sense of place' through the medium of photography. A range of resources is available to support teachers in planning a stimulating day out exploring local surroundings and looking at important issues of environmental change and sustainability. Each school selects the best images from their field-trip for entry into a national competition. Finalists in 2011 will be invited to an Annual Awards ceremony in London where Steve will present the prizes. As well as judging the entries in the Green Mobile competition, Steve will visit the overall winner’s school to give a presentation. Website: www.colliersgreenfocus.com 

 

Wildlife Trusts

There are 47 Wildlife Trusts across the whole of the UK, the Isle of Man and Alderney. With nearly 800,000 members, we are the largest UK voluntary organisation dedicated to conserving the full range of the UK’s habitats and species, whether in the country, in cities or at sea. The Wildlife Trusts are working for an environment rich in wildlife for everyone. We manage 2,256 nature reserves covering more than 90,000 hectares; we stand up for wildlife; we inspire people about the natural world and we foster sustainable living.

Website: wildlifetrusts.org

Wildlife Watch

Wildlife Watch is the junior branch of The Wildlife Trusts and the UK’s leading environmental action club for kids. There are 150,000 Wildlife Watch members and hundreds of local Watch groups where young people get stuck into environmental activities. Taking part is an exciting way to explore your surroundings and get closer to the wildlife you share them with. Wildlife Watch members receive exciting wildlife goodies throughout the year: a starter pack and four issues of Wildlife Watch magazine a year. This is packed full of amazing pictures, puzzles, competitions and you get a fantastic free wildlife poster with each issue.

Website: wildlifewatch.org.uk

Wwf

One of the environmental charities that Steve supports is WWF-UK as he shares their vision for a future where people and nature thrive. Steve currently fronts a campaign with an major corporate partner on sustainable packaging and promoting the use of renewables.

Best known as the world’s leading conservation body, WWF has seen first-hand how wildlife, the environment and human activity are all interlinked. The organisation's global strategy involves safeguarding the natural world alongside other environmental action – tackling the global threat of climate change (through big international campaigns like Earth Hour) and helping people to change the way they live to ease pressure on natural resources.

WWF is at the heart of global activities in all these areas. Its teams of highly skilled professionals work with governments, businesses and communities here in the UK and around the world.

Website: wwf.org.uk

Wildfowl and Wetland Trust

WWT: Saving wetlands for wildlife and people

The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) is a leading wetland conservation organisation saving wetlands for wildlife and people across the world. It was founded in 1946 by the renowned naturalist and artist, the late Sir Peter Scott. With over 60 years experience of wetland conservation, WWT is committed to the protection of wetlands and all that depend on them for survival.

WWT is based in the UK where it has a network of nine wetland visitor centres. These centres include nationally and internationally important wetland habitats totalling over 2000 hectares. Dedicated to engaging visitors with wetlands and their wildlife, the centres welcome over a million visitors each year and over 185,000 members add their support to our cause.

Website: wwt.org.uk

RSPCA

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) is the leading animal welfare charity and has been operating since 1824 across England and Wales. Our wealth of experience and knowledge means we make a real difference to the lives of animals, from rescuing a single baby fox cub to successfully changing the law – and with it, the lives of millions of animals.

The RSPCA has 170 branches that operate at a local level, 51 animal centres and four specialist wildlife centres. Our 300 inspectors are our frontline men and women championing animal welfare day in and day out.

We work tirelessly for animals and every year rehome about 70,000 animals and collect and rescue 135,000. To fund our life-saving activities we rely entirely on legacies and kind donations from the public and trusts.

Website: rspca.org.uk

RSPb

The RSPB speaks out for birds and wildlife, tackling the problems that threaten our environment.

We are the largest wildlife conservation organisation in Europe with over one million members. Wildlife and the environment face many threats. Our work is focussed on the species and habitats that are in the greatest danger.

Our work is driven by the passionate belief that: birds and wildlife enrich people's lives; the health of bird populations is indicative of the health of the planet, on which the future of the human race depends; we all have a responsibility to protect wildlife

We have more than one million members, over 13,500 volunteers, 1,300 staff, more than 200 nature reserves, 10 regional offices, four country offices... and one vision - to work for a better environment rich in birds and wildlife.

Website: rspb.org.uk

Shark Trust

Established in 1997, the Shark Trust is the UK registered charity working to advance the worldwide conservation of sharks through science, education, influence and action. The Trust works together with the general public and a wide range of specialist groups including divers, boat owners, politicians and fishermen. The Trust is led by a board of Trustees who oversee a small dedicated team, who are further supported by a voluntary Scientific Committee and a growing number of supporters and volunteers.

The Shark Trust is: an effective and well respected advocate for sound shark management and protection; a founder member of the Shark Alliance; the Secretariat of the European Elasmobranch Association; and a membership organisation which provides a link between the public and the science community. The Trust is in favour of sustainably managed fisheries and works with both commercial and recreational fishers and their representative organisations, as well as government and industry, in a bid to secure a sustainable future for elasmobranch stocks.

Website: sharktrust.org

Steve Backshall
Jo Sarsby Personal Management Ltd
0117 973 8589 / 0778 810 8182 / jo@josarsby.com