All across Derbyshire, nature is disappearing.
But at Derbyshire Wildlife Trust we see a different future
One where nature is flourishing far beyond the fences of nature reserves. Where it's spilling into and thriving in our farmlands, cities, suburbs, school grounds and new developments. And where people feel truly connected with the nature that surrounds them.
It's a future we can still create.
But only if we act boldly, and if we act fast.
Donate between 2nd-9th December to have your donation doubled!
We’ve been selected to take part in the Big Give Christmas Challenge, from 2nd–9th December.
For one week only, every online donation you make will be doubled.
This journey has already begun
With ambitious plans to purchase Middleton Moor. Our programme to reintroduce key species like white stork, pine marten & Eurasian elk. And we are enabling communities to take action for nature.
But we have to accelerate our impact
And we need your help. We need to unlock new ways of restoring land, rivers and urban wild space.
That’s exactly what this new fund will do. It’ll be used to power bold, community-driven action - accelerating nature recovery across Derbyshire
Helping wildlife return - and stay
Supporting and nurturing communities
Together we’ll unleash breakthrough ideas, from urban rewilding and green health initiatives, to youth-led movements and pioneering nature technology. Our goal is bold - we need to raise £5 million by 2030.
But with bold ideas and big thinking - let’s show what’s possible when people and nature lead the way together.
We can’t wait to see what we’ll achieve together, if we all think wilder by nature.
FAQs
Questions about our Wilder2030 Fund?
Q: What is the Wilder2030 Fund?
The Wilder 2030 Fund is Derbyshire Wildlife Trust’s ambitious £5 million campaign to make Derbyshire wilder by 2030.
It focuses on three key areas:
🌱 Land – creating and restoring nature-rich places
🦋 Species – reintroducing lost native wildlife
🏘️ Communities – empowering local people to take action for nature
The Wilder 2030 strategy can be found here - Wilder 2030 | Derbyshire Wildlife Trust
Q: How will the money be raised?
Funding will come from a combination of public donations (from members, supporters, and community fundraising) and grants from charitable trusts, foundations, corporate partners, and other funders. This mix allows us to unlock major funding opportunities, while giving local people the chance to be directly involved.
Q: How does the fund work?
The Wilder2030 Fund is an umbrella for a series of appeals and funding opportunities. Each specific appeal, like Middleton Moor, raises money for a particular project, but every pound also contributes to the bigger 2030 goal.
Questions about our Middleton Moor Appeal?
Q. Why have you stopped taking donations for the appeal?
Thanks to your incredible generosity, you’ve helped us raise over £182,450 for our Middleton Moor Appeal! We’re waiting to hear the outcome of our larger funding applications, which could secure £771,000 towards the Middleton Moor project.
These outcomes are expected to be announced between December 2025 and March 2026.
If successful, that funding together with the £182,450 already raised through public donations would bring us to almost £1 million. This will allow us to purchase the land and start to restore and rewild it.
Q: Why has Derbyshire Wildlife Trust been raising money for Middleton Moor?
We have a once-in-a-generation chance to buy 135 acres at Middleton Moor. Securing this land will connect nearby reserves to create a 1,000-acre nature recovery network.
Q: How will the appeal be funded?
Public donations are vital to reaching this target. Every donation brings us closer to securing Middleton Moor and strengthens our ability to unlock additional support from grant funders and corporate partners.
Q: Why is this land so important?
It connects nature reserves to create a 1,000-acre nature recovery network.
It will bring back skylarks, lapwings, butterflies, bees and more.
It will open up space for people to explore and connect with nature.
It’s the only site in Derbyshire where the rare burnt-tip orchid survives.
Q. Why are you raising £1.2m if the land costs £856k?
We’re aiming to raise £1.2 million so we can not only secure the land, but also restore and rewild it, create habitats for wildlife, and make it accessible for people to enjoy.
Q. If you don't raise enough, what happens to the funds?
All funds will be used towards our Wilder2030 fund, a five-year plan to raise £5 million to support the Trust’s vision for a Wilder Derbyshire by 2030.
Q. If successful do you intend to extend public or member’s access?
Yes, we will restore and rewild it, creating habitats for wildlife, and make it accessible for people to enjoy.
Q. Who is the current owner of the land?
The current owner is a private landowner who wishes to remain anonymous
Q. Does the landowner support the Trust’s ambitious plans?
The current landowner is very much in support of, and on board with, Derbyshire Wildlife Trust's ambitions and has kindly taken the land off the market to give Derbyshire Wildlife Trust the opportunity to raise the money required to purchase the land.
Questions about The Big Give?
Q. What is the Christmas Big Give?
The Big Give Christmas Challenge is a one-week, online fundraising drive where donations to charities like the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust are matched by pledged match-funds. That means every eligible donation can be doubled while match funds last — helping us do more for wildlife across Derbyshire.
Q. How is my pledge doubled?
Supporters (called pledgers) promise match-funding that sits in a shared matching pot. When you give online during the live week, your donation is paired with match funds from that pot and doubled at checkout — until the pot is used up.
Q. What happens if Derbyshire Wildlife Trust don’t reach their target?
Derbyshire Wildlife Trust will keep every donation raised. Match funds are paid out pro-rata: if we reach, say, 50% of our target, we’ll receive 50% of our matching pot. All online donations given during the campaign will still be doubled up to the amount of the match funds available.
Q. What is a Champion?
A Champion is a funder who boosts our Big Give campaign by adding extra match funding on top of the pledges we secure ourselves. Champions are usually trusts, foundations or philanthropists chosen by the Big Give. Their support increases the size of our match pot, helping donations go even further.
Q. What is a Pledge?
A Pledge is a promise of match funding made before the campaign goes live. Pledgers commit an amount that will be used to double online donations during Big Give week. Their pledge is only paid after the campaign and only up to the amount we successfully match with public donations.
Q. Who are Supporters?
Supporters are anyone who donates to Derbyshire Wildlife Trust during the Big Give week. When they give online while match funds are available, their donation is doubled — helping their gift have twice the impact for wildlife.
