Sussex Wildlife Trust are delighted to announce that the Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve have been honoured with a prestigious King’s Award for Voluntary Service.
The award recognises the outstanding contribution that the Friends have made in supporting and developing Rye Harbour Nature Reserve and its wildlife for the benefit of local and wider interests.
The nature reserve is managed by Sussex Wildlife Trust, who together with the Friends, have enlarged and improved the wildlife habitats. The Friends have also helped to improve visitor access and facilities, including a generous contribution of £1.5 million towards the award-winning Discovery Centre that opened in 2021.
Other significant contributions include supporting the purchase of Castle Water, transforming it from a gravel-dredging site to a wildlife-rich reedbed, funding for the wheelchair accessible bird hides at the reserve and delivering a variety of talks, walks and events.
The success of the nature reserve is evident in the rise in visitor numbers, which have increased from 100,000 a year to 400,000 a year since 2000.
The Chairman of the Friends, Dr Barry Yates, said: "The few pioneers that established the Friends in 1973 would be pleased and amazed with its 2,000 supporters and what they have achieved. They have made a tremendous contribution to this very special place and everyone that has supported the Friends’ should feel very proud!".
Chris Corrigan, CEO of Sussex Wildlife Trust said “We are thrilled that the Friends have been selected for this well-earned and prestigious Award. They are an exceptional group of volunteers who have given an extraordinary amount of time and financial support over many years to the management of the reserve”.
A local award ceremony will take place early next year, with the Lord-Lieutenant for East Sussex, The King's representative, presenting the Friends with a certificate and a commemorative crystal.
If you would like to find out more about the work of The Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, please visit ryeharbourfriends.net
This post is also available on Sussex Wildlife Trust website
