The Countryside Restoration Trust (CRT) supports a living, working countryside by being a champion of biodiversity, and restoring farming landscapes and woodlands for the benefit of wildlife and local communities.
We engage, educate and inspire all those who love the countryside to learn more about the value of wildlife, where our food comes from, and how our natural environment supports our health and wellbeing.
After years of tremendous growth, the CRT has a bright future. We are led by a dedicated board of Trustees, spearheaded by chair of the board Nicholas Watts MBE.
Meet the trustees, chair, and co-founders here.
The CRT has undergone a significant amount of change over the past year. Some highlights of our conservation and community work include:
The CRT will bring in a new multiyear strategy in 2022, to help grow the Trust’s network of friends, increase its reach and interaction with key audiences, and strengthen the conservation and engagement activities across our all of our properties. We will share this strategy directly with our supporters.
We are grateful to be supported by thousands of passionate CRT friends and volunteers who are united in their love of the countryside, its landscapes, farming and wildlife.
Find out more about supporting the CRT by becoming a friend, or by volunteering on one of our farms. We are also honoured to be supported by legacy donations, and more information about giving is available here.
The CRT supports its tenant farmers to run profitable and productive farms that also increase wildlife numbers and diversity. We achieve this by providing support, resources and volunteers to assist with conservation activities across our network.
The CRT measures flora and fauna across our farms and uses this data to understand more about the impacts of our farming practices or of our land management activities.
The CRT’s annual reports and supporting information is available on the Charity Commission’s website.
Trustees have independent control and legal responsibility for our charity’s management and administration. Read more
How is the CRT contributing to society? Read more
We spend less than 20% on governance and salary costs. Read more