NWT, the oldest wildlife trust in the UK by some stretch (our next oldest sibling being Yorkshire Wildlife Trust established in 1947) will be 90 next year!

It was 6 March 1926 when 435 acres of marsh at Cley were purchased. Our founders had a vision for wildlife conservation across the county, and land acquisitions at Martham, Alderfen and East Wretham Heath followed. On 23 June 1952 NNT received notification from the Keeper of the Privy Purse that the new monarch, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, had agreed to be the trust’s Patron. In the 1970s, membership reached 4,000 - which 40 years later now stands at more than 34,000.

We are in the process of compiling an archive that will document key dates, achievements and contributors to conservation in our 90 years. In celebrating our achievements, we know we wish to bring together the memories and memorabilia of longstanding members and friends and create a suitable archive for the Trust that includes what we mean to individuals as much as to wildlife.

Whilst there will be much to follow, our initial request is for your personal histories of the Trust. In 2012 we launched MyCley to glean just that from you in relation to our oldest nature reserve, and you kindly shared your fond recollections of Cley Marshes. Now we launch Wild at 90! in anticipation of bringing together a celebration of your memories encompassing the entire Norfolk Wildlife Trust.

We’ll be creating an interactive website with a timeline of NWT, and personal stories and images. Perhaps you have photographs of family holidays in the Broads, or remember seeing your first swallowtail or hearing your first grasshopper warbler in Norfolk. Or did you meet any past wardens or well-known naturalists?

You may just want to share your records of species seen and regrettably species now lost, reminding us that whilst we are proud of what we have achieved, there is still much to do to protect the future of wildlife.