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  • how-we-work
  1. Home
  2. How we work

How we work

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.

Governance

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.

Strategy

The CRT has undergone a significant amount of change over the past year. Some highlights of our conservation and community work include:

  • The launch of Mosaic, our education programme that connects young people with the farming and wildlife mosaic
  • The unveiling of Babers Farm as the Gordon Beningfield Memorial Farm to honour the CRT’s co-founder, the late, great artist Gordon Beningfield who was inspired by the ‘Dorset Dream’ of small-scale, nature-friendly farming
  • Opening the doors to Bere Marsh Farm, a beautiful property in the heart of Dorset that will help the CRT to reach a wider audience and connect us with the local community
  • Fundraising to restore and rebuild the derelict barn owl barn at Bere Marsh, which successfully saw the resident owls raise two chicks during the summer of 2021
  • Fundraising to plant a new hybrid species of elm tree at Awnells Farm that is resistant to diseases

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.

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.

How we manage our farms

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.

Monitoring

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.

Annual report

The CRT’s annual reports and supporting information is available on the Charity Commission’s website.

Trustees

Trustees

Trustees have independent control and legal responsibility for our charity’s management and administration. Read more

Published: 17th February, 2020

Updated: 22nd October, 2021

Author: Abbie Pearce

Corporate Social Responsibility

Corporate Social Responsibility

How is the CRT contributing to society? Read more

Published: 25th October, 2019

Updated: 27th April, 2020

Author:

Financials

Financials

We spend less than 20% on governance and salary costs. Read more

Published: 25th October, 2019

Updated: 16th March, 2022

Author:

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Showing 10 of 3

Latest

  • Bere Marsh Farm – Angela’s legacy

    Bere Marsh Farm – Angela’s legacy

    A new short film in the Countryside Regeneration Trust’s documentary series that captures the ongoing journey to develop Bere Marsh Farm in Dorset has just been released.

  • Food and farming industry works together to solve how to measure sustainability

    Food and farming industry works together to solve how to measure sustainability

    When you’re doing your food shop, would you like to be able to look out for a trustworthy label that shows the farm produce you’re buying is sustainably produced?

  • Summer Family Wildlife Walk

    Summer Family Wildlife Walk

    Every Friday in the summer holidays, join us for a free drop-in, family-focussed wildlife discovery walk at beautiful Bere Marsh Farm.

  • Bat Safari at Bere Marsh Farm

    Bat Safari at Bere Marsh Farm

    Join an expedition into the world of bats on our exclusive 'bat safari' at Bere Marsh Farm.

Most read

  • Conservation Volunteer

    Conservation Volunteer

    This is your chance to get 'down and dirty' to help CRT improve the habitats and environment on our farms, with a wide range of conservation projects and initiatives.

  • Robin Page

    Robin Page

    Co-Founder

  • CRT vision

    CRT vision

  • Trustee Statement 8 June 2021

    Trustee Statement 8 June 2021

    An update from the CRT Trustees regarding governance of the charity.

  • Prices

    Prices

  • Garfield Weston Foundation gives grant to kick-start our new Volunteer Programme

    Garfield Weston Foundation gives grant to kick-start our new Volunteer Programme

    Countryside Restoration Trust has received a grant of £20000 to create a brand-new Volunteer Programme.

  • Mosaic Holiday Club

    Mosaic Holiday Club

    Mosaic Holiday Club is a brand-new kids club for 8-11 year olds, based at the CRT’s Pierrepont Farm in Surrey.  This outdoor holiday club runs during half terms and the Easter and summer school holidays.

  • Wildlife Monitoring Volunteer

    Wildlife Monitoring Volunteer

    Want to learn how to monitor species in the wild and how this supports our conservation and regeneration wok? Then this is perfect for you!

  • Capture the Countryside

    Capture the Countryside

    Discover our series of summer courses at Bere Marsh Farm We invite you to relax, learn, and create, in the beautiful surroundings of Bere Marsh Farm, Dorset this summer.

  • David Mills MBE

    David Mills MBE

    Trustee, farmer, conservationist and founder of British Wildlife Centre

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Appeal Barn Owls Bere Marsh Farm Donation Dorset Lark Rise Farm Pierrepont Farm Thank you

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Affiliations

The Countryside Regeneration Trust 12 Bennell Court, West Street, Comberton, Cambridgeshire, CB23 7EN

©️ 2021 Countryside Regeneration Trust. All Rights Reserved. A company limited by guarantee in England and Wales No. 07320026. Registered as a Charity No. 1142122