EUROPARC warmly welcomes The Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts into our network
The Wildlife Trusts join the Restore Nature Now Demo (June 2024) © Guy Shorrock
The EUROPARC network continues to grow! We are excited to welcome our newest member: The Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts.
The Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts: An Overview
As a newly welcomed member of the EUROPARC Federation, the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts (RSWT) brings a wealth of experience and innovation to the collective network. RSWT serves as the central charity and unified voice for 46 local Wildlife Trusts across the UK, Alderney, and the Isle of Man. Together, they work under a federated structure with a clear mission: to restore wildlife, empower people to act for nature, and build a society where nature holds a central role.
Their vision? A thriving natural world where wildlife and habitats help address the climate and ecological emergencies, with everyone inspired to be part of nature’s recovery.

Ash tree and sunset – Coed Crafnant, North Wales © Ben Porter
Interview Time!
Get to know RSWT better! Marie Butler, who is a Knowledge Exchange Officer at RSWT, answered our questions.
What innovative practices or tools is RSWT currently implementing that could inspire other EUROPARC members?
RSWT is leading by example with cutting-edge initiatives:
Changing Nature: Climate Adaptation Report
RSWT has conducted in-depth assessments of climate risk, detailing how climate change impacts its land holdings, wildlife, and resources. Their updated report, Embracing Nature (2024), highlighted drought as the most significant threat to UK nature reserves, an insight they’ve shared with the UK government.
Restoring Atlantic Rainforests with AVIVA
Through a landmark partnership, RSWT is working on a 100-year vision to revive lost Atlantic rainforests, spanning over 2,000 hectares. This initiative aims to sequester 800,000 tonnes of carbon, mitigate flooding, and create shaded habitats for wildlife.
Creating a National Flagship Site
RSWT has begun plans to transform the 3,800-hectare Rothbury Estate into a national flagship site, integrating nature recovery, sustainable farming, and community engagement. This initiative supports the UK’s goal to protect 30% of land for nature by 2030.
RSWT has a strong history of youth engagement. How do you plan to collaborate with EUROPARC on educational and youth-focused programmes?
Building an Online Community
In the last two years, RSWT created an online community of over 1,000 young people aged 16–30. This age group has historically been the least engaged with The Wildlife Trusts. To address this, RSWT conducted research with over 300 young people to understand how they view both The Wildlife Trusts and the wider environmental sector. The findings showed that many young people didn’t feel that RSWT was accessible or relevant to them.
To bridge this gap, RSWT launched a Discord server. This platform provides a digital space where young people can connect, network, and share opportunities. They can also learn about campaigning and find events related to nature and climate. The server has already started attracting international members. RSWT believes this could evolve into a collaborative hub for EUROPARC and other organisations, offering a shared space for young environmental advocates.
Supporting Future Leaders
RSWT is equally committed to developing young leaders. Their Next Gen Nature staff network helps young professionals grow within the organisation. Inspired by EUROPARC’s Youth Council and manifesto, RSWT is also creating their own youth council.
Additionally, they run a community of practice for Trustees under 35. This group focuses on improving youth governance, avoiding tokenism, and ensuring the longevity of youth-focused initiatives.
A Vision for Collaboration
In the future, RSWT hopes to unite young leaders across organisations for learning and collaboration. They even envision hosting an international summit for youth councils and emerging leaders. This would provide a platform for sharing ideas, building networks, and creating long-term change.
How does RSWT measure the success of its conservation initiatives, and how do you plan to share these results within the EUROPARC network?
Facilitating Knowledge Exchange
While RSWT does not conduct conservation work directly, it plays a key role in supporting the 46 local Wildlife Trusts. This is done through facilitating knowledge exchange and promoting best practices.
RSWT regularly hosts online webinars to share successes and lessons learned. Many of these sessions could be opened to EUROPARC members, encouraging collaboration and the exchange of ideas across organisations.
Sharing Progress Through Reports
RSWT also publishes an annual impact report, which is free and publicly accessible. This report highlights the organisation’s achievements and contributions to nature recovery.
In addition, RSWT produces other key reports, such as Wild Science. These documents provide evidence-based insights into the role of nature in addressing the climate and ecological crises. By sharing these resources openly, RSWT supports broader learning across the conservation community, including EUROPARC members.

Volunteers and staff from Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust building a rain garden © RSWT